The Asian Star October 19 2019

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Vol 19 - Issue 37

Saturday, October 12, 2019

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West Van police release sketch of South Asian flasher

Election 2019: New poll puts Conservatives ahead A new poll taken after Monday’s federal leaders’ debate suggests that rising support for the Bloc Québécois in Quebec could put the Conservatives in power.

The telephone survey of 1,013 Canadians by Forum Research Inc. has the Tories leading with 35 per cent of voter intentions, while the Liberals are

West Vancouver police have released a composite sketch of a man who is alleged to have exposed himself to a cyclist.

The incident was reported Sept. 20, around 7:30 p.m., in the 100-block of Stevens Drive. A woman was cycling in the area when a black SUV passed her and then pulled over and stopped. The woman says a man got out of the vehicle and exposed his

genitals as she passed on her bike.

The man was described as being around 30 years old, South Asian, 5-foot-8, with a small to medium build. He had short black hair with a trimmed beard, and was wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt and black pants.

Anyone with information can contact West Van police at 604-925-7300 and reference File No. 19-11616.

Conservative leader calls Trudeau a fraud in Canadian debate

trailing with 28 per cent. It puts the NDP in third place with 13 per cent, virtually tied with the Green Party at 12 per cent, while the Bloc Québécois has seven per cent and the People’s Party has three per cent. The poll was conducted on Monday night and Tuesday. The pollster said that could translate into a Conservative minority government, with 152 seats for the Tories, 117 for the Liberals, 36 for the Bloc Québécois, 29 for the NDP and four for the Greens. While previous Forum polls since January had showed the Bloc winning between zero and 27 seats, this one suggests the Quebec sovereignist party could win 36 seats —

The leading candidate to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister attacked him Monday during the second debate of the campaign, calling him a phony and fraud who can’t even recall how often he’s worn blackface.Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer immediately brought up Trudeau’s blackface scandal after it was not mentioned in the first debate. Trudeau is seeking a second term in the Oct. 21 elections. “Mr.

Trudeau, you’re a phony and you’re a fraud and you do not deserve to govern this country,” Scheer said. The blackface controversy surfaced last month when Time magazine published a photo showing the then-29-year-old Trudeau at an “Arabian Nights” party in 2001 wearing a turban and robe with dark makeup on his hands, face and neck.

Calgary police arrest South Asian youth accused of multiple break-ins Police have arrested a suspect believed responsible for nearly 20 nighttime break-ins over the last month in the north and northeast quadrants of the city.

The most recent happened about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the community of Skyview Ranch,

where a suspect pulled out a knife when confronted by a homeowner before fleeing in the victim’s vehicle.

It was Manu Singh’s friend’s Mercedes-Benz C400. He was

Continued on page 7

NDP’s Jinny Sims resigns from cabinet after RCMP probe revealed NDP MLA Jinny Sims resigned as Minister of Citizens’ Services on Friday following the appointment of a special prosecutor for an RCMP investigation related to her. In an email, Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel for the Ministry of Attorney General’s B.C. Prosecution Service, confirmed that Richard Peck, a senior lawyer in private practice in Vancouver, will provide legal advice in the investigation of criminal wrongdoing involving Sims and others. No other information is available, said McLaughlin. Premier John Horgan said in a brief emailed statement that Attorney General David Eby advised him on Friday afternoon that a special prosecutor had been appointed.

“I accepted her resignation as appropriate under the circumstances. We take any such investigation very seriously,” Horgan said in a statement.

Housing Minister Selina Robinson will assume responsibility as minister of citizens’ services until the investigation is over. Sims, the NDP MLA for Surrey-Panorama, said in an emailed statement that she had not been given details of any allegations but she said there was no credibility to previous allegations made against her. “I am confident that my name will be cleared but do not want to distract from the important work of government in the meantime,” Sims Continued on page 7

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South Asian Calgary MLA who had business raided by RCMP receives promotion The Calgary MLA that had his business raided by the RCMP and was being investigated by the Office of the Election Commissioner has received a promotion.

Peter Singh is now part of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee, which partially oversees the province’s savings account.

The NDP criticized Singh’s appointment at the legislature Wednesday.

“That should be concerning to Albertans,” NDP MLA Heather Sweet said. “To be in charge of an $18-billion fund on behalf of Albertans and yet he’s under investigation by the RCMP.” The UCP says Singh’s appointment is fair.

“His constituents spoke loud and clear and that makes him qualified to sit in his place,” House Leader Jason Nixon said. “And he will sit

on the standing committee as per the fact they sent him here to serve.”

In December 2018, Singh was accused of credit card fraud during nomination campaign. A UCP investigation concluded he did nothing wrong.

In April, Mounties in plain clothes removed electronics and a suitcase from Singh’s business. RCMP said the warrant was connected to the investigation into the UCP 2017 leadership contest.

Metro Vancouver bus drivers vote 99% in favour of strike

Employees of the Coast Mountain Bus Company voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate on Thursday night, with 99 per cent supporting the motion.

The vote comes after negotiations for a new collective agreement broke down last week, according to a news release from Unifor, which represents 5,000 workers at the transit company, including bus drivers, Seabus workers and maintenance staff in Metro Vancouver.

“Our members take the responsibility of providing safe, dependable public transportation seriously and they’re asking Coast Mountain to properly recognize the dedication and effort that the workers put in day in and day out to properly deliver it,” Unifor national president Jerry Dias said in the release.

The two union locals involved in the strike vote — Unifor Local 111 and 2200 — have been without a contract since March 31. Union representatives have said that major sticking points are: “They don’t have enough time at the end of their run to go the washroom, take a break, to eat some food, and to just reset themselves so they can provide good passenger and customer service,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s western regional director.

“The end result is overworked drivers and that’s a serious safety issue that must be dealt with at the table,” said McGarrigle.

These are the 10 Metro Vancouver bus routes with most rider complaints Negotiations are scheduled to begin again on Oct. 15. The strike mandate will remain in effect for 90 days and the union says it will provide 72 hours’ notice of any strike action.

In a statement, the Coast Mountain Bus Company said it is committed to reaching an acceptable negotiated settlement.

“Both parties will continue bargaining in the coming days,” the statement reads. “We don’t anticipate imminent disruption to service at this time.” Balbir Mann, president of Unifor Local 111, said drivers don’t want to inconvenience transit riders, especially students and low-wage workers, but that a strike mandate is needed to be serious at the negotiating table. “Enough is enough,” said Mann on CBC’s The Early Edition on Thursday morning. “We need to improve our working conditions.” According to Mann, drivers want at least seven minutes at the end of their routes to go to the washroom, hydrate and stretch their legs.

He said wages are also an issue and that drivers make less money than SkyTrain attendants, but he would not go into details about how much of an increase they are asking for.

Mann said there are other actions drivers may take instead of strike action, such as refusing to wear uniforms or collect fares.

The last bus driver strike in Metro Vancouver was in 2001. It lasted nearly four months and wasn’t resolved until the provincial government ordered employees back to work.

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Vol 18 - Issue 37

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Conservatives vow to stop illegal border crossings by refugees Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer pledged on Wednesday that if elected his party would take steps to limit illegal border crossings by migrants who first travel to the United States and then proceed to Canada.

The Conservatives would “prioritise newcomers from violent and dangerous countries, and restore Canadians’ faith in an immigration system that has served this country so well for so long,” Scheer said at a press conference in Hemmingford, Quebec.

Since 2004, the Safe Third Country Agreement has required immigrants to make refugee claims in the first country they arrive.

If a person arrives in Canada by unregulated

means from the United States, they can apply for refugee status in Canada.

Scheer pledged to close a loophole that allows immigrants to seek asylum if they cross the border into Canada at an unofficial point of entry, such as Roxham Road in Quebec, which was once a footpath from New York state known for its use by migrants. Canadians go to the polls on Oct. 21 and the Conservatives are currently tied in national polls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. Scheer’s party also faces competition for votes from the newly-formed right-wing People’s Party of Canada, which favours cutting immigration levels by two-thirds. Canada received its

highest number of refugee claims in 2018 since record-keeping began three decades ago, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRBC). The loophole in the agreement has been partly blamed.

Scheer said confidence in the system was falling, but immigration is not polling as a major issue in the election.

Trudeau has sought to lift immigration levels to about 1% of the population per year, and on Wednesday at a campaign stop outside of Toronto he defended the current process, saying “there are no shortcuts”.

‘Coldest October in 123 years’ in Metro Vancouver as temperatures tumble across BC Parts of British Columbia are enduring recordbreaking chill. Environment Canada says the temperature at Vancouver Airport dipped to 0.7 C Monday morning. “That’s the coldest Oct. 10 in 123 years, so this is pretty significant,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald. It was the second record in two days for Vancouver, which saw thermometers dip to 0.8 C Wednesday, wiping out the old record of 2.8, which had stood since 1960. Vancouver has coldest October 9 in nearly 60 years. The weather office says clear skies and a cold front helped set several other winter-like records across B.C. “We’ve broken a total of 41 temperature records across B.C. in the last 2 days,” said MacDonald.

Those include a mark of -10.3 C in Clinton on Wednesday, breaking a 2009 record, and -8.2 C in Smithers, smashing the old record set in 1959. The average historical low for Vancouver in the second week of October is 7 C. If you left the house in the early hours Thursday in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, chances are it felt like winter.

The temperature was – 0.7 C at Vancouver airport early on Thursday, breaking a 1916 record of – 0.6 C. It was the first time since 1966 that temperatures in Vancouver have dipped below zero in the first two weeks of October, said Armel Castellan, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. Abbotsford recorded

– 0.4 C early Thursday, breaking a 2008 record of – 0.1, while Victoria tied a 1979 cold-temperature record of zero degrees. B.C.’s capital city also set a cold record Wednesday at 0.6, smashing the 1.7 C set in 1948. The surprise turn in weather meant shelters like the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in East Vancouver turned away homeless people Wednesday night. Castellan said the clear weather is radiating some of the heat away, but it won’t last. Temperatures are expected to return to seasonal norms when the clouds roll in Saturday.

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OPINION

By Michael Taube

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer have both had to deal with some controversial matters during this fall’s federal election.

It was revealed that Trudeau appeared in either blackface or brownface on three occasions, the last one at age 29 when he was a teacher at a private school.

He and his party have also used two jets in the 2015 and 2019 campaigns – which was apparently known by a few media figures, although they never bothered to mention it.

It was revealed that Scheer previously called himself an insurance broker without holding a licence, although the rules were different in Saskatchewan. Scheer also holds dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., which isn’t a big deal, but he never discussed it publicly and once critiqued former governor-general Michaëlle Jean for holding dual citizenship. Both politicians took hits in popularity after these controversies came to light. But which one do you think has had a more difficult time escaping negative media coverage?

Saturday, October 12, 2019

The great Canadian political double standard You would think Trudeau would be the worse for wear. And you would be wrong.

Why? Some analysts have suggested the government’s record is saving him. Or that people believe some of these old episodes don’t mean much today. Or that Canadians are more tolerant of a politician’s failings. Or that the alternative choices for prime minister aren’t inspiring. Those positions play a role, but there’s a much bigger reason behind it: Conservatives like Scheer are typically held to a higher standard than Liberals like Trudeau.

Academic studies have attempted to shine some light on the perceived differences between liberals and conservatives.

Some of the findings include: liberals are more intelligent than conservatives; rightleaning individuals react differently to physical threat and/safety; conservatives have a more rigid, authoritarian nature; the more educated a liberal becomes, the less he/she understands conservatism; liberals aren’t as tolerant as they think are.

And so on.

The average person, however, tends to believe most liberals are more open, tolerant, intelligent and thoughtful than most conservatives.Few pay close attention to the fact these assessments are often written by left-leaning academics and researchers. The results of these studies will, therefore, often be determined before a single word has been written on the page. Here’s an example: University of Pennsylvania’s Jonathan Baron and New York University’s John T. Jost wrote a piece this year for the academic journal Perspectives on Psychological Science examining whether liberals and conservatives are equally biased. “If the application of these standards leads to the conclusion that conservatives in the United States and perhaps elsewhere are more rigid, dogmatic, and epistemically fallible than liberals (on average),” they determined, “this is not bias. It may very well be as close to the truth as we can come.” Baron and Jost also wrote this little gem: “If academics are disproportionately liberal – in comparison with society at large – it just might be due to the fact that being liberal in the early 21st century is more compatible with the epistemic standards, values, and practices of academia than is being conservative.” That just makes your heart go pitter-pat, and gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling for the future of higher education and humanity. If you’re a liberal, that is. Let’s face facts. The blackface/brownface controversy alone would have been enough to obliterate the careers of most former and current Tory politicians in Canada. Polite society would have declared this individual to be racist, bigoted and intolerant – and the party would have tossed him or her out. When the politician involved is Trudeau, a self-styled modern liberal, progressive and feminist, polite society is simply disappointed in his actions. He let them down and should have known better. But that was years ago, they argue, and his policies show he’s learned the error of his ways. Instead of calling for his head on a silver platter, they’ll give him a pass – and the PM can say we’re all experiencing a teachable moment.

Michael Taube , Troy Media

columnist and political commentator

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

NDP’s Jinny Sims resigns from cabinet after RCMP probe revealed From page 1 Sims said. “For that reason, I have decided to step away from my duties while the matter is resolved. On the advice of counsel, I will not be making any further statements.”

“British Columbians should be appalled that NDP Minister Jinny Sims has resigned due to an RCMP investigation after months of John Horgan insisting that she and his government have done nothing wrong,” Opposition Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson said in an emailed statement.

“The fault lies at the feet of John Horgan and he needs to immediately explain to British Columbians why a special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate an NDP minister.” Wilkinson said the B.C. Liberals have been questioning Sims’ conduct in government and her community for months, particularly regarding allegations made by a whistleblower in Sims’ constituency office.

“John Horgan continued to dismiss legitimate concerns and now he must answer for this complete failure of leadership on his

Calgary police arrest South Asian youth accused of multiple break-ins From page 1 terrified to pass over the keys.

“What could he do? That guy had a knife. It was this big,” said Singh, as he described a blade nearly the width of his shoulders.

Although no one was hurt, Singh says the ordeal has him on edge about the neighbourhood he’s been residing in the past few months.

“We thought this was safe. We were before in Falconridge and though this is safe, but now after this, what has happened I’m feeling nothing is safe around us.”

Another four break-and-enters were also reported Friday in the communities of Whitehorn and Coral Springs.

Police say residents have been home during several of the breakand-enters and an operation was launched to identify a suspect.

The Fugitive Apprehension Team was brought in following Friday’s’ breakins and a warrant was executed at a home in the 0-100 block of Whitefield Cres. N.E. about 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Police believe the suspect fled just before officers arrived to serve the warrant, then committed the break-in in Skyview Ranch.

Security experts say it’s important for homeowners to be vigilant about protecting their home and recommend specific steps to take during a break-in.

“The more noise you make, the more they panic. Keep away from them, keep furniture between you and them, throw things.

“I know its going to make a mess, but the more that you are making it difficult for that person,” said Bob Hope, manager of Special Operations Security Group, “[the burglars will] realize you’re not just going to give into whatever they say.”

Hope also recommends deadbolt locks, alarm systems and motion-sensor lights.

Harmandeep Sidhu, 18, was arrested later Saturday morning and remains in custody. Charges are expected to come Sunday, while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

part,” Wilkinson said. In May, Liberal House Leader Mary Polak sent documents related to the whistleblower’s allegations to the RCMP’s E Division as well as to the assistant deputy attorney general in charge of the Criminal Justice Branch. Sims had been under fire based on allegations from fired constituency assistant Kate Gillie that she worked to circumvent the Freedom of Information Act, an act that fell under Sims’s ministry, and wrote sponsorship letters for Pakistani citizens that Gillie alleged were on a security watch list.

Sims has denied the allegations, describing them as part of a “difficult human resources” matter involving a former employee. A local MP involved in the visa applicati

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

Key moments from the federal leaders’ debate

T

he six major party leaders squared off in a debate Monday that saw Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer taunt each other as they jockeyed for the frontrunner position.

Scheer branded his Liberal opponent as a mask-wearing “phoney” and a “fraud” who has lost the moral authority to govern.

Trudeau, in turn, said Scheer doesn’t

believe in climate change, has no plan for the environment and promotes an agenda that disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Canadians. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tried to stay above the fray with a positive approach as the Liberal and Conservative leaders slugged it out. Green Party Leader

Elizabeth May courted climate-minded voters disaffected with the other parties.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet stuck to the separatist script, criticizing the federalist parties for ignoring the unique needs of Quebecers while directing most of his attacks at

Scheer and that leader’s pointed criticism of SNC-Lavalin during the scandal over prosecutorial independence.

Trying to peel away right-wing votes from the Tories, People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier called Scheer a halfhearted conservative who doesn’t have the courage to end the “dairy cartel” and supply-managed farm sectors. Bernier also pushed his plan to slash immigration levels to better integrate newcomers. Scheer started the debate on the attack, focusing his energies on his main opponent in this election campaign: Trudeau. Ignoring the first audience question on foreign affairs, the Conservative leader said Canadians simply can’t trust Trudeau after a series of missteps including the blackface photos and the SNC-Lavalin affair that claimed two of his top female cabinet ministers. “He’s very good at pretending things. He can’t even remember how many times he put blackface on because the fact of the matter is he’s always wearing a mask. He puts on a reconciliation mask and then fires the attorney general, the first one of Indigenous background. He puts on a feminist mask and then fires two strong female employees for not going along with his corruption,” Scheer said. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is always wearing a mask at the outset of the English-language debate in Gatineau, Que. 0:35 “He puts on a middle-class mask and then raises taxes on middle-class Canadians. Mr. Trudeau you are a phoney and you are a fraud and you do not deserve to govern this country,” Scheer said.

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Attorney General rules out changes to lessen ICBC rate shock The BC gov’t will not change its new risk rating system for automobile insurance, despite a backlash from young drivers whose rates are skyrocketing. Attorney General David Eby told Postmedia News the financial pressures at the Insurance Corp. of B.C. and a redesign of insurance rates to make riskier drivers pay more are part of a “multiyear turnaround project for ICBC” that will continue as planned. “It’s not gonna be fixed overnight,” Eby said. “So yes, young drivers — not just young drivers, inexperienced drivers who are predominantly young but not exclusively — will be paying higher rates.

And there’s really no way around that as far as I can see.” Eby had hinted recently that he was exploring ways to reduce those rates, which kicked in on Sept. 1. Instead, the government now appears ready to face headon the stories of skyrocketing insurance bills by critics during this fall’s legislative session. College student Izabella Bryant, 18, told Postmedia News she was issued a $5,300 insurance bill by ICBC for basic and optional insurance this year, on

her $10,600 2013 Nissan Altima. Other novice drivers are reporting similarly large bills. ICBC’s changes link rates to driver history, and are intended to more accurately reflect the actual risk of a crash by driver type. Inexperienced drivers are 3.5 times more likely to get into an accident, according to ICBC. “We’re not going to be adjusting the rate-design work that ICBC has done,” said Eby. “It’s important that the insurance premiums that people pay reflect their actual driving performance and their risk on British Columbia roads. That’s a core principle of insurance. And it’s something that ICBC has gotten away from, because it’s politically easier to avoid that question. “With that said, the rates that people are paying in B.C. are too high, generally.” ICBC lost almost $2.5 billion in the past two years as claims, legal fees and repair costs soared. Eby implemented a $5,500 cap on minor injury claims for pain and suffering, which ICBC projects will save $1 billion

Canadian woman held in Iran after her husband died, returns home safe Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is confirming that a dual Iranian-Canadian citizen who has been denied permission to leave Iran is now safe at home in Canada.

Freeland tweeted that Maryam Mombeini has been reunited with her family in Canada, and the minister lauded her for her bravery.

The Iranian government denied Mombeini permission to travel after her husband, an environmentalist and university professor, died in a Tehran prison while being held on espionage accusations in early 2018.

Mombeini’s husband Kavous Seyed-Emami, a 63-yearold sociology professor, died at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Iranian authorities deemed SeyedEmami’s death a suicide, but the family and others have questioned that finding.

Mombeini’s son Ramin was allowed to leave Iran and return to Canada in March 2018 but authorities in Tehran did not allow her to travel with him.

Freeland’s spokesman sent an email to The Canadian Press highlighting the minister’s tweet, which also retweeted a photo and caption from an account that appeared to belong to one of Mombeini’s sons. The spokesman said in an email seeking clarification that the tweet “is the minister confirming on the record!”

The tweet included a photo of two men with a woman who appeared to be Mombeini in an airport lounge.

“We are finally reunited with our beautiful mother! We spent 582 days dreaming of this moment,” said the tweet.

Freeland wrote that she was “relieved that Maryam Mombeini is at home in Canada at last and reunited with her family. You have all shown tremendous bravery in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I am thinking of you today!”

A senior government official who was not authorized to speak for attribution due to the sensitivity of the situation said Freeland spoke to her Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and other Iranian officials about a matter that has been a top priority for her.

Canada also made “direct representations” through its embassy at the United Nations, the official said.

The government wasn’t releasing any more details about Mombeini’s release out of respect for her family.

The Liberal government pledged during the 2015 federal election to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran, but Freeland has made clear that wasn’t going to happen unless the regime allowed Mombeini to leave the country.

LOCAL

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Unemployment rate down after country adds 54,000 jobs in September, StatCan says The national statistics office says Canada’s unemployment rate nudged down to 5.5 per cent in September as the economy added 54,000 net new jobs, driven by gains in fulltime work. Statistics Canada says the jobs growth was largely concentrated in the health-

care sector, and notes gains in the number of public-sector and self-employed workers.

The report says 70,000 of the new jobs were full-time, as the number of part-time workers declined. The agency’s latest labour force survey says the country saw a rush last month

of 49,400 new positions in services industries, but an drop of 21,000 jobs in the private sector.

Young workers aged 15 to 24 years old saw drops in the ranks of full- and part-time workers, inching their unemployment rate to 11.9 per cent — not all that dissimilar from the

same time one year ago.

Compared with a year earlier, the numbers show Canada added 456,000 jobs, for an increase of 2.4 per cent.

NDP leader’s approval rating rises, Trudeau has highest disapproval rating: Poll NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s rising approval ratings are on the verge of threatening the Liberals in key battleground provinces, a new online national public opinion poll from Campaign Research suggests.

“Jagmeet Singh has caught fire!” Nick Kouvalis, principal of Campaign Research Inc., said in a release. “He is on a trajectory to become the leader on the question of ‘who would make the best prime minister’ and no one knows, with any certainty, where or how far this could go at this point.” “With 11 days left

in the campaign, it is not out of the question that Jagmeet Singh and the NDP could again switch places with the Liberal Party of Canada as they did in 2011,” Kouvalis said.“No one wants to be first to say Prime Minister Singh, but he may end up being the No. 1 choice for a plurality of Canadians in short order,” he said. The online poll of 3,147

Canadians measured the change over the course of the election campaign in the job approval-disapproval ratings for all federal party leaders as well as who respondents thought would make the best prime minister. The poll results suggest Jagmeet Singh is outperforming the other leaders with the best job approval rating of 49%.

Singh’s job disapproval rating is also the lowest of the leaders, sitting at 22%.

Respondents were also asked who would be the best prime minister.\ One graph shows Singh with the largest jump, rising 5% in the eight days between Oct. 2-10 for a total of 15%.

All other leaders have experienced a dip during the same time period. The results are indicative of the rise in popularity Singh has experienced, particularly since the English leaders’ debate. The NDP leader’s approval ratings are high across the country, especially so in the battleground provinces of Ontario (52% approve of Singh) and British Columbia (57% approval), putting the Liberals back on their heels in those regions. Meanwhile, Trudeau’s job disapproval rating is significantly higher than other leaders in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Of the respondents, 67% and 72% disapproved of the job the scandal-ridden Liberal leader has done in Saskatchewan and Alberta, respectively.

Overall though, Trudeau’s job disapproval rating has remained steady at 54%, the highest of all the candidates with Scheer close behind at 53%.

One dead after vehicle hits tree in Abbotsford A male driver in his 30s was killed in a one-vehicle crash on Thursday evening in central Abbotsford.

A black sedan hit a tree on the south side of Old Yale road, just east of Clearbrook Road, at about 5:15 p.m.

A female passenger, whose age is not known at this time, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Abbotsford Police Department collision reconstructionists and patrol officers are continuing to investigate the crash.

The cause has not yet been determined.

Old Yale Road between South Fraser Way and Countess Way is expected to be closed for several hours.

The name of the driver has not been released

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Former Surrey Six Mountie stuck with massive legal bill The head of the RCMP has told a former Mountie who had an affair with a potential witness in the Surrey Six murder case that the force will not pay his massive legal bill.

In a letter sent to Derek Brassington in the summer, Commissioner Brenda Lucki informed the one-time member of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team that his application for $255,383 had been reviewed and rejected by federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

“You were a supervisor and one of the investigators on the IHIT. Your conduct was a serious and marked departure from the standards expected of a police officer assigned to the care and protection of a witness. By your actions, you placed protected witnesses and a potential confidential informant in danger,” said Lucki’s July 30 letter, a copy of which was obtained by Postmedia.

“Based on the foregoing, the minister found that you do not meet the eligibility criteria of the policy.”

Brassington worked on the investigation into the slaughter of six people, including two bystanders, in a Surrey high-rise on Oct. 19, 2007 by members of the Red Scorpion gang.

In January 2019, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and breach of trust in connection with the sexual relationship he had with the potential witness, who can only be identified as Jane Doe 1 due to a publication ban.

He received a conditional sentence of two years less a day to be served in the community after a joint submission from the Crown and defence.

An agreed statement of facts said that Brassington started his affair with the woman in June 2009 after she had agreed to cooperate

with police in the gangland homicide investigation. He met her for sex in cities across Canada over a six-month period, frequently drinking with her, the statement said.

And he lied to fellow police officers and manipulated the witness-protection program in order to spend time alone with her.

“This conduct constituted a breach of trust and amounted to a serious and marked departure from the standard of conduct expected of an RCMP officer engaged in witness management duties,” the statement said.

Police teams continue their detailed search outside the apartment building at 10082 148th St. in Surrey for clues and evidence after the Surrey Six murders. Mark van Manen / Vancouver Sun Brassington gave an emotional apology in court for the damage he had done to the RCMP’s reputation.

The former cop applied for legal aid under the Treasury Board Policy on Legal Assistance and Indemnification. He had won an internal arbitration in 2017 saying his mounting legal bills would be paid.

But in 2018, when he submitted the request to have the $255,383.57 paid out of the public purse, he was refused.

Lucki said the minister considered the investigation into Brassington’s conduct done by the Ontario Provincial Police in 2010, as well as internal disciplinary documents, the application and the 2017 grievance decision.

“In considering an employee request for legal assistance or indemnification, the approval authorities determine whether the employee acted in good faith; did not act against the interests of the Crown

Man pleads guilty to second-degree murder in 2017 Langley double homicide A Langley man has entered a guilty plea in connection to a 2017 double homicide in the city, homicide investigators announced Thursday.

Travis MacPhail (pictured) pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Brandy Petrie and Avery LevelyFlesher, who were found suffering from gunshot wounds on September 1, 2017.

Petrie, a 34-year-old Burnaby woman, and Levely-Flesher, 20 of Surrey died of their injuries shortly after they were found in the area of 62A Crescent and 64th Avenue around 5:30 a.m.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) identified the female

victim as 34-year-old Brandy Petrie of Burnaby and the male victim as 20-yearold Avery Levely-Flescher of Surrey.

MacPhail was charged in connection to their deaths on Sept. 5, 2017. He was also charged with possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, uttering threats and aggravated sexual assault.

The man accused of shooting an Abbotsford police officer in 2017 has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

The man accused of shooting an Abbotsford police officer in 2017 has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

Oscar Arfmann pleaded not guilty to the charges in the death of Const. John Davidson Nov. 2017, but a judge ruled the Crown proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defence is asking the court to consider mental health as a factor, and a secondmentalhealthassessmenthasbeenordered.

Court is adjourned until 2 p.m. where the

judge will hear arguments about Arfmann’s mental state at the time of the killing.

Defence lawyers argued the lack of Davidson’s blood on Arfmann’s clothing raised the issue of reasonable doubt, given the close proximity of the shooting, but the judge disagreed.

Davidson was shot while responding to reports of a stolen vehicle, with the Crown arguing he was ambushed while climbing out of his vehicle.

LOCAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Charges laid in connection with homicide in Vancouver’s West End A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a Vancouver man in the city’s West End last month.

Yasin Rashid, 23, was charged Friday morning, according to police.

On the evening of Sept. 10, officers found Kyle Vincent Gabriel, 29, injured inside a home on Pendrell Street after they responded to a call about an incident between two men.

Gabriel later died at hospital.

Police say Rashid was arrested the

night of the incident. He assaulted a police officer and attempted to injure a police dog during his arrest, according to police.

Officer and service dog assaulted during arrest of West End homicide suspect He has remained in custody since. Rashid is expected to make a court appearance Friday morning.

the

city’s

Gabriel’s death marked seventh homicide of 2019.

Metro Vancouver bus drivers, maintenance workers vote in favour of strike mandate Employees of Coast Mountain Bus Company have voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting strike action, if needed.

On Thursday night, 99 per cent of the 5,000 Unifor Local 111 and 2200 members voted for the strike mandate, following a break down in negotiations for a new collective agreement earlier this month.

The union, which represents bus drivers, Seabus workers and maintenance staff within Metro Vancouver, says that a significant increase in ridership has strained available resources and eroded working conditions since the last collective agreement was negotiated.

“The system overload is impacting breaks and recovery time in between trips as drivers struggle to maintain service,” said Unifor western

regional director Gavin McGarrigle. “The end result is overworked drivers and that’s a serious safety issue that must be dealt with at the table.”

The union workers have been without an agreement since March 31 and negotiations are set to resume on Oct. 15. “ T h e r e is still an opp or tu n it y for Coast Mountain to do the right thing and to come back to negotiations with an offer that addresses the out s t a n d i n g issues,” said Mike Smith, Unifor Local 2200 president.

The strike mandate will be in effect for the next 90 days, but in order to strike the union will provide a 72-hour notice.

Surrey RCMP looking for girl, 13, reported missing in Whalley The Surrey RCMP is looking for Angelica Ramos Mejia, 13, who has been reported missing in Whalley.

She was last seen at 10 p.m.

Thursday, near Greenock Place and 88th Avenue.

She is Hispanic, four feet nine inches tall, slim and has black hair. She was last seen wearing a black sweater, black pants and had a black Nike backpack.

“It is out of character for this person to be out of touch for this long,” said Constable Richard

Wright. “Police and family are concerned for her well-being.”

Police ask anyone with information to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, quoting file number 2019-157526.

13

$12,000 ring stolen from parked vehicle in Nanaimo A ring said to be worth $12,000 was stolen from a parked vehicle last month, say police.

According to a Nanaimo RCMP unsolved crimes report released this week, the ring was taken sometime during the evening of Sept.

27 from a vehicle parked along Pine Street.

The ring is handmade with 14-karat gold, diamonds and garnets.

Nanaimo RCMP noted two other thefts from vehicles in this week’s report. Sometime overnight on Oct. 5 a backpack with an HP work laptop and an iPhone 7 were taken from a Ford pickup truck parked along Nottingham Drive.

The laptop has a sticker that reads NC09220.

On Oct. 6, a thief entered an unlocked ehicle overnight along Country Hills Drive in Cinnabar and stole a wallet with credit cards and other identification.

“Within hours, thieves had used the cards to make transactions at seven different locations throughout Duncan and Nanaimo,” the report noted.

“Investigators are currently following up with each location to obtain video surveillance.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800222-8477 or submitting a tip online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.

Surrey’s top cop says ‘if you want more boots on the ground, give me more boots’ Surrey’s top cop says he’s “going to snap” if he has to “listen to one more ex-chief of police on life support, or some fallenfrom-grace former public official with an axe to grind, or uninformed academic, call into question the integrity and the professionalism and the dedication of the men and women of the Surrey RCMP.” Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald made the comments during the 2019 Police Officer of the Year Awards on Thursday (Oct. 10). It was the first time the awards have been held since Surrey council voted to transition from RCMP to a municipal force last November.

As a police force, McDonald said “you often battle perception versus reality.”

“And yes, you become a target and a lightning rod for criticism – some deserved and some not,” he said.

“Policing a large city, we’ve been doing it since 1951. And I would challenge any other large city in this country, to police with the resources that we do, and do a better job. And just saying, if you want more boots on the ground, give me more boots. Gotta get that off my chest, I digress.”

In last year’s budget cycle, Surrey council voted to freeze the hiring of any new officers for the Surrey RCMP in 2019, despite McDonald requesting more Mounties be added to the force.

In 2018, 12 officers were hired which brought the force to 843 members.

14

LOCAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

RCMP deploy ‘Mountie Cut-Outs’ to deter dangerous driving It’s hard to miss an almost sevenfoot-tall Mountie sporting a highvisibility vest pointing a radar gun at you.

That’s what the Surrey RCMP are counting on in their latest initiative that involves the “deployment” of their newest “cut-out” recruits to target dangerous driving on city streets.

These almost life-size “Mountie Cut-Outs” will be set up at intersections and roadways around the city that have been identified as high-risk for collisions and unsafe driving behaviours.

It’s been dubbed “Operation Double Take” and the project’s goal is to “maintain an overt presence” and “remind drivers to follow the rules of the road.”

To start, two cut-out cops have been made as well as a third of a Surrey RCMP cruiser, all of which police say will be visible in the dark.

The cut-outs will be moved around the city – but won’t be telling the public where they’ll be.

“When people break the speed limit it’s a selfish decision,” said Surrey RCMP Constable Richard Wright. “They are deciding that the rules that are put in place to make sure the road is

safe, they’re deciding to flout that. It’s a conscious choice on their part. We want to educate drivers that they need to be wary, especially at times when it’s wet, icy and dark on our roads.”

Wright said “drivers need to adapt their driving behaviour to make sure they’re ready for those conditions, to give themselves extra time.”

The cut-outs actually first hit the streets last Friday. “Even on those few deployments that we’ve had so far, we’ve seen a marked decrease in the unsafe driving behaviours and the speed of the vehicles travelling through the zones where the cut outs are present. We’re hoping that that continues,” Wright said, noting police are monitoring data through speed recording devices near the cut-outs to gauge their impact.

“We’re hoping it shows there’s a marked decrease in speed, making our roads safer for everyone. From there, we’ll be developing this program and bringing it forward to become bigger and better as we go on,” he added.

Officers or auxiliaries will be accompanying the cut-outs to ensure they aren’t vandalized or stolen, police say

Surrey sign ban forces election candidates to shift campaign strategy Federal candidates running in Surrey, B.C., are adapting to a citywide ban on campaign signs by boosting their election bids on social media and through more traditional tactics.

Planting signs on public property was banned in Surrey after the 2018 civic election campaign, when a long list of candidates led to numerous candidate boards piling up around the city, including at road intersections where drivers reported having trouble seeing past them.

Surrey bylaw officers removed more than 1,800 signs that were put up illegally during that campaign, with the city’s bill running to $160,000, according to a report that went to council in May.

The bylaw has meant federal election candidates have to find other ways to get their message across to voters.

Stephen Crozier, NDP candidate for South Surrey-White Rock, agreed that too many signs can be an eyesore and have a negative effect on the environment — but he said the new rule does put some candidates at a disadvantage.

“If you are not an incumbent, if you’re not that well known, it does make it more difficult to get your name out there,” said Crozier.

He said fewer signs make it more difficult for voters to connect his name and face, so he is adapting by making use of more Facebook posts.

Report finds retired BC sergeant-at-arms committed neglect of duty British Columbia’s recently retired sergeantat-arms committed neglect of duty and didn’t tell the truth during an investigation into misconduct at the provincial legislature, a report released Tuesday concluded.

The report by former Vancouver Police Department deputy chief Doug LePard came days after Gary Lenz announced his retirement, saying the damage to his reputation couldn’t be fully repaired after he was placed on administrative leave last year when questions were raised about his spending.

Former clerk of the house Craig James retired last May after former Supreme Court justice Beverley McLachlin concluded he improperly claimed benefits and used legislature property for personal reasons. But McLachlin found Lenz did not engage in misconduct.

Legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas appointed LePard in June to conduct an independent Police Act investigation into allegations Lenz didn’t uphold his duty as a special provincial constable in over the removal of a truckload of alcohol from the legislature in April 2013 by the former clerk.

“I have concluded the evidence in its totality demonstrates that sergeant-at-arms Lenz did not uphold his oath as a special provincial constable and appears to substantiate that sergeant-at-arms Lenz committed neglect of duty for the failure in his sworn duty as a special provincial constable to adequately investigate the misappropriation of liquor by Mr. James,” LePard’s report says.

Lenz said in a statement Tuesday he

rejects the findings in LePard’s report.

“I do not accept the conclusion reached

by Mr. LePard that I did not give truthful testimony about my decision not to commence a formal investigation in to the removal of alcohol from the legislative precinct by Mr. James in 2013,” Lenz said. “I dispute that finding in the strongest possible terms.”

He said he has always told the truth while employed as sergeant-at-arms and was truthful in his testimony to LePard.

Lenz and James have denied any wrongdoing since they were placed on administrative leave in November 2018.

McLachlin’s report looked at administrative allegations made by Plecas in a report he released in January.

The Speaker alleged that Lenz and James engaged in inappropriate spending on personal items and foreign trips. His report also alleged inappropriate vacation pay outs and retirement allowances.

The RCMP said last November that it was investigating staff at the legislature, but it has not said who is the subject of the probe.

Its investigation was aided by two special prosecutors, who have not commented on the case.

Lenz is a former RCMP detachment commander in nearby Sidney, B.C., who was appointed the legislature’s sergeant-at-arms in 2009. James was appointed clerk of the house in 2011.

Badly burned, accused Esquimalt arsonist was arrested trying to board plane An Esquimalt homeowner accused of setting fire to his own rental home after a dispute with his tenant appeared in a Victoria courtroom Wednesday.

Wei “George” Li is charged with one count of arson for the October 2017 fire at a duplex he owned in the 300-block of Uganda Avenue.

Two residents of the building were not home at the time but their home was left uninhabitable.

Li was arrested a short time later at Victoria International Airport as he was trying to board a flight to Ottawa.

Airport security screener Lorna Shaw

testified Wednesday that she saw Li in the airport screening area, looking as if he was in distress.

Li told her he had been in a fire and was “lucky to be alive,” she said.

Shaw told the court she offered Li a cold pack and some skin cream to help with the pain from burns on his hands, neck and face.

She testified that Li told her he was in a house fire that morning and tried to get out but the “door blew in,” forcing him to escape through a window.

Shaw said she told her boss about the passenger and her boss contacted security.

The screener said she asked Li how he arrived at the airport and he said he drove. She also asked Li if he had told anyone about the fire and he said he hadn’t.

Victoria airport firefighter Jay Krieger testified that on Oct. 3, 2017, he got a call to the pre-boarding area of the airport for a passenger with burns to his hands and face.

Krieger told the court he tended to the man and also noted that some of the passenger’s hair was singed.

Krieger testified that Li told him he had been in a fire and said Li appeared to be in shock as a result of his injuries.

Krieger asked Li if he had called 911 to report the fire and Li said no. He said Li told him he was scared and didn’t know what to do. He also told Krieger he was from Quebec and was in Victoria “dealing with some tenants,” Krieger said.

Krieger said airport authorities called the RCMP to ensure that firefighters had been called to the fire and Li was later arrested at the airport.

LOCAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

15

BC labour board shuts down attempt to remove fire captain after he was caught having sex with another employee on video The City of Vernon has lost another attempt to oust a fire captain after he had consensual sex with another employee in the fire chief ’s office that was caught on video. The city went to the Labour Relations Board asking it to overturn an arbitration board decision that ruled the employees were wrongfully dismissed and should be reinstated. The arbitration board found that while the employees’ conduct was worthy of

harsh discipline, the dismissal was excessive.

The city then went to the Labour Relations Board saying it was denied a fair hearing and the ruling was inconsistent with the labour code, but the board denied both arguments and dismissed the review of the decision.

The city says in a statement released Monday that it continues to believe its decision was the correct one and that having sex with a subordinate while on duty in the

fire hall must be grounds for termination.

The statement says the city is considering its options to further appeal the reinstatement decision.

The captain was reinstated with a five-month disciplinary suspension and a three-year temporary disciplinary

demotion to the rank of firefighter.

The dispatcher was also ordered reinstated but the city had since contracted out dispatch services so the city was ordered to compensate the woman for the severance or any other payment she would have received when her job was terminated.

NestlÊ, Tim Hortons named Canada’s top plastic polluters again For the second year in a row, NestlÊ and Tim Hortons were the top companies behind branded plastic bottles, coffee cups, and lids and other plastic waste collected in shoreline cleanups across the country, Greenpeace Canada reported Tuesday.

\Starbucks, McDonald’s and the Coca-Cola Company rounded out the top five of the environmental advocacy group’s list of plastic polluters. “Year to year the general order can shift a bit, but overall it’s those top usual suspects that we will keep seeing pop up,� said Sarah King, head of Greenpeace Canada’s oceans and plastics campaign. “We know that all of the top five companies to date haven’t made significant efforts to reduce [plastic] production. Their products are going to be in the environment until that happens.�

King had noted previously that in many cases, the plastic waste is likely disposed of properly by consumers, but ends if the environment

anyway, sometimes due to wind or storms.

These are the top 10 plastic items found during shoreline cleanups. (Greenpeace) The companies were named from 1,426 pieces of identifiably branded plastic out of 13,822 pieces of plastic waste collected and audited by 400 volunteers during shoreline cleanups between April and Sept. 21.

The cleanups were organized by community groups participating in the global Break Free from Plastic movement in Halifax; Covehead, P.E.I.; Fredericton; Montreal; Toronto; Grimsby, Ont.; Broken Group Islands, B.C.; Vancouver and Victoria.

King said the primary goal of the brand audit was to “hold companies accountable for the plastic pollution problem that they continue to create.� But it’s also intended to show Canadian governments how big a problem single-use plastics continue to be, as well as which items are problematic.

The top plastic items found this year were, in order: - Cigarette butts (not included in last year’s audit) - Bottles and caps - Food wrappers - Cups and lids - Straws and stir sticks - Tampon applicators- Foam piecesBags - Cutlery - Food packaging.

Food wrappers were abundant in Vancouver, which accounted for half the wrappers collected across Canada. Halifax was the top site for tampon applicators, where 235 were collected.

Phone in cupholder isn’t OK, B.C. public safety minister says Having your cellphone close at hand in your vehicle cupholder does not comply with B.C. law against distracted driving, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says.

Farnworth was asked Wednesday about a recent case of a woman issued a $368 ticket for distracted driving, after Vancouver Police stopped her in a routine check. “I can’t comment on individual cases, but what I can tell you is the law is clear,�

Farnworth told reporters at the B.C. legislature Wednesday. “The cellphone is supposed to be mounted, and it’s not accessible. The police do have some discretion, and obviously if people feel that they were ticketed unfairly, they have the ability to fight that in court.�

Richmond resident Randi Kramer, a senior in her 70s, began the process of doing just that, and her lawyer reported Oct. 2 that police had cancelled the ticket.

Her son also protested on social media that his mother’s phone was connected to Bluetooth for hands-free use at the time.

Vancouver Police issued a statement declining to comment on any single case, adding that drivers may be ticketed for “using an electronic device even if they are not touching it.� This would apply if a device is turned on, within reach of the driver, and causing the driver to be distracted while driving, the statement said.

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16

Saturday, October 12, 2019

BC seniors will have to wait longer for a flu vaccine that offers better protection Seniors in B.C. will have to wait longer for a flu vaccine that offers them better protection, because the province doesn’t cover the vaccine, according to the vaccine’s manufacturer.

The Fluzone High-Dose vaccine isn’t expected to land on shelves in B.C. until the end of November or early December, the B.C. Pharmacy Association said Tuesday.

Standard vaccines are expected to arrive this month.

The vaccine, which Health Canada approved in 2015 for use in people aged 65 and older, contains four times the antigen of a standard flu vaccine and produces

a stronger immune response in seniors.

A 2014 study found the high-dose vaccine to be 24 per cent more effective in preventing the flu than standard vaccines in adults 65 or older.

Seniors are more vulnerable to the flu because of their weaker immune systems.

Adults 65 and older accounted for up to 90 per cent of seasonal flu-related deaths in recent years, and up to 70 per cent of seasonal flurelated hospitalizations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

B.C. covers standard flu vaccines but does not publicly fund the high-dose version. Pharmacies in the province charge $75 for the shot.

The vaccine’s manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, said it prioritizes delivery of vaccines to provinces and territories that publicly cover the vaccine, including Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Ontario is the only province that offers the vaccines to all seniors. The other provinces and territories distribute the vaccines to people living in long-term care.

High-dose flu vaccine coming for seniors in care this fall The manufacturer said Tuesday it has delivered all public market orders received to date.

“As B.C. does not have a high-dose public program in place, we only supply limited volumes offluvaccinetotheprivatemarketinthatprovince.”

Sanofi said it’s expediting vaccine delivery in time to meet peak flu activity between December and February.

Not enough evidence to justify cost: B.C. government Doug Rushton, who lives in North Vancouver, said he’s hoping to get the highdose vaccine for the first time this year after suffering two bouts of pneumonia in the past two years.But when the 69-year-old contacted several local pharmacies Monday, Rushton said he was told the shipment was delayed.

Surrey RCMP recognized at Surrey Board of Trade Police Officer of the Year Awards On October 10th the Surrey Board of Trade hosted the 23rd Annual Police Officer of the Year Awards, an event that recognizes the commitment and contributions of Surrey RCMP police officers, staff, volunteers and partners.

Finalists were nominated by the community or by their peers, and winners were announced in eight different categories at yesterday’s gala dinner.

Constable Richard Wright was named Police Officer of the Year (nominated by the community) for his dedication to mentoring youth in the community. One of the youth, Brahmroop Sandhu, was in attendance at the awards dinner to cheer on the officer who inspired him to make positive life choices.

Cst. Wright is also a well known face at many community and youth events across Surrey.

Constable Karen Baker was named Police

Officer of the Year (nominated by peers) for developing creative solutions to public safety concerns. She initiated several projects to combat crime near transit hubs and an education campaign to lock out auto crime in parking lots.

Most recently Cst Baker has found her calling in the Surrey RCMP Youth Unit participating in anti-bullying initiatives and programs like MiniBlue. She also developed a school zone safety project where students helped build a “fairy lane”

to encourage Walking Wednesdays. The Surrey Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) received the Arnold Silzer Community Policing Initiative for their work enhancing public safety through a combination of enforcement, youth education, outreach and partnerships. SGET handles over 1,000 investigations a year that result in a large volume of criminal charges, as well as drugs and weapons seizures. Their anti-gang presentation, Shattering the Image, has been viewed by thousands of Surrey youth and parents. Marnie Neal was named Municipal Employee of the Year for her role assisting victims of crime who have experienced trauma. Marnie worked tirelessly to get an Accredited Facility Dog to join the Victim Services Unit. Last year Marnie became the handler to a beautiful labrador/ golden retriever cross named Cambria from the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society. The pair has helped hundreds of victims, many of them children, to provide witness statements and testify in court.

Steve Gyorny was named Volunteer of the Year for volunteering over 700 hours to community engagement, traffic safety and crime prevention programs. Steve is known as someone who is always willing to step up and

lend a helping hand. His positive attitude and strong leadership skills have made him a mentor to new volunteers. Auxiliary Kim Treider was named Auxiliary of the Year for contributing over 1,000 hours of service to the Surrey RCMP and the City of Surrey. Kim regularly takes the initiative to proactively expand the ways that Auxiliaries can contribute to various public safety deployments and local events requiring a police presence. His extensive local knowledge and many years in the Auxiliary program have made him a trusted source for both detachment staff and his fellow Auxiliaries. E Watch Frontline was named the Police Team of the Year for their proactive patrols targeting hot spots and nuisance areas during peak policing times in Surrey. Officers with E Watch began a community policing profile that targets areas with high property crime with overt, intelligence-led policing. This enhanced visibility has resulted in strong results and positive feedback from Surrey residents.

Save-On-Foods at 10312 King George Boulevard received the Police and Business Partnership Award for their generous donations of food that help feed individuals in the community who are dealing with homelessness, mental health challenges, addictions and crisis. The large volume of donations provided by the store have allowed the Surrey Urban Mission to serve over 2,500 hot meals per week to those in the community.

BC’s former sergeant-at-arms lied multiple times during investigation: report A new report obtained exclusively by CTV News into the alleged spending scandal at the B.C. legislature has concluded that

former sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz, who resigned last week, engaged in “discreditable conduct” and lied multiple times during an investigation into the accusations.

The report, conducted by former Vancouver police deputy chief Doug LePard, found that Lenz was untruthful in both oral and written submissions related to the investigation by retired chief justice Beverley McLachlin, who was commissioned by the province to probe allegations of misspending by Lenz and legislature clerk Craig James.

“I find that SAA Lenz’s false oral and written statements to Justice McLachlin constitute misconduct that is at the most serious end of the range of misconduct under the Police Act,” LePard wrote.

McLachlin’s report was released in May and cleared Lenz of wrongdoing, finding that he didn’t violate his terms of employment.

It came months after Lenz and James were suspended from their high profile roles in November 2018, following an investigation by the Office of the Speaker. It alleged Lenz and James misspent thousands of taxpayer dollars on lavish trips, clothing and expenses unrelated to their work at the legislature.

But this new report says Lenz lied to McLachlin on several occasions.

“For Justice McLachlin (or any investigator) to be able to carry out her work effectively, she needed to be able to rely upon those she interviewed to be truthful,” the report stated.

I

t’s almost two weeks that the celebs have been locked inside the Bigg Boss 13 house. The madhouse as termed by a few of the former housemates, can do things to an inmate that no one would have imagined. Contestants who thought they are great players, were thrown out of the house in no time. Last nights, Paras Chhabra had to face the ire of the girls, who he thought could be manipulated easily.

Hrithik ’s amazing transformation Hrithik Roshan’s journey from reallife Bihari mathematician Anand Kumar in “Super 30” to crack espionage agent gone bad, Kabir, in “War,” told by the man himself. 2019 has been incredible for Roshan with two back-to-back successes. It was a difficult journey for the actor to ace the role of a Bihari for “Super 30” and then immediately get into the skin of Kabir for “War.”

Roshan took to his social media and shared a video giving us an insight into his journey of transformation with the caption, “The other side of K.A.B.I.R Behind the scenes.”

“It all began in September 2018,” he states in the video. “The transformation was the hardest thing I had to go through and the only person I had to blame was myself! That was the toss over after Super 30.” With the back injury as a hindrance, the superstar had a long way to go to achieve his goal and the tenure to reach there was extremely short.

“War” has become a record-breaker with its box-office collections and fans cannot stop gushing over his perfect body, his dance moves and, most importantly, his tremendous performance.

‘Bigg Boss’ - The things turn intersting The episode started with Arti Singh and Koena Mitra’s fight. After the fight, Arti told Shehnaaz that he doesn’t trust Paras.

Next morning, housemates woke up to Paani Wala Dance. Rashami spoke to Arti about the last task. But they couldn’t solve their issues. Rashami expressed her distrust and also mentioned that Aarti has been misjudging her because of a third person.

While, they were talking they called Paras Chhabra and both of them told him that he is not trustworthy. Soon Paras and Arti got into a war of words. Paras blamed her for playing cupid between Shehnaz and him without purpose. Aarti told him she tried to solve their problems by being the messenger between them but said that it was her biggest mistake. Arti Singh told Paras Chhabra that he is not

trustworthy. Later, Rashami spoke to Dalljiet about Arti and said that she tried to resolve her issues with her but Arti didn’t co-operate. Sidharth Shukla said that Rashami is making her gang with Dalljiet and Devoleena.

Later, Siddhartha Dey had an oops moment when he didn’t lock the bathroom door and Koena entered without realising someone was inside.

18

Bollywood

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone mobbed at a Ganpati pandal. Deepika was visiting Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati pandal to seek blessings of the God. As soon as the crowd got to know that the “Piku” star was in the pandal, they rushed to catch a glimpse of the actress.

She was spotted in a heavy golden embroidered sari and big earrings. She completed the look with her hair tied into a sleek bun and minimum make-

up. According to reports, Padukone’s bodyguards had a tough time escorting the 33-year-old star for a darshan. On the work front, Padukone will next be seen in Meghna Gulzar’s “Chhapaak,” a film based on acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal. She will also be seen in Kabir Khan’s “‘83.”Padukone formed her own production company KA Entertainment in 2019.

She is the chairperson of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image and is the founder of the Live Love

604-566-3111 7233 - Fraser St., Vancouver, BC

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Priyanka and Jonas’ Performance is everything you dream for It’s all in how you look at the film. The all-important commercial prospects are not up to the mark, but as with some films (“Mr. & Mrs. Iyer� for one, “Little Zizou� for another, “Finding Fanny� for a third), that’s not so important when such a film just had to be made. Every real story cannot be a “Hichki� or a “Raid.�

This time, Shonali “Margarita With A Straw�

Bose is on surer ground, for she cannot change the real-life story of the Chaudharis. She thus cannot end a promising film in a very pseudo and thus vague open-ended manner as in that film—a finite and very optimistic conclusion shows that such happy or at least emotionally optimistic and gratifying endings can be real! First things first: Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ performance is everything you dream for in a dream performance, so to speak! She

is, in one word, stunning, way beyond pitch-perfect, nuanced and absolutely award-worthy. Incredibly, as Aisha Chaudhari, Chopra is so natural that she seems to have been filmed walking, talking, laughing, crying and berating in real life here, as if she was Aditi Chaudhari and did not know a camera was recording her! This is her best ever essay and she makes giant strides further after “Aitraaz� and “Baijrao Mastani,� which I feel were her tallest performances to date. The narration by the pivot of the film, Aisha (Zaira Wasim) is decent, and lends the much-needed light tone to what could have been a serious film.

Having said that, for a subject like this (unless this was true in the real story, which is very unlikely!), the over-harping on the sex-life

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Bollywood HOROSCOPE Aries March 21 - April 20 Relationships are important, especially with the sun and feisty Mars continuing to move though Libra. Dynamic Mars can be a

rifts and clear the air where necessary.

The focus shifts this week as sweet Venus joins chatty Mercury in Scorpio and your zone of shared resources and deep emotions on Tuesday. Desires could be more powerful

Taurus April 21 - May 20 A desire to streamline your lifestyle and routines could see you doing exactly that this week and over the coming weeks. Still, the sun’s edgy angle to Saturn on Monday hints that you might need to take life at a slower pace because obstacles to your best-laid plans could show up. Just do what you can and in a day or so you’ll be up and running again.

Your ruler Venus moves into Scorpio on Tuesday, which can add extra sparkle to your relationships zone. This could be a time of more passionate exchanges and opportunities

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 The start of the week could be trying, but any issues you face could be resolved by letting go of a plan that isn’t working. This might be hard to admit, but doing so can free up resources that would be better used for something else.

As luscious Venus glides into your lifestyle zone on Tuesday, opt for some pampering and enjoy a little self-care. A trip with friends to a spa or a hike in nature could do the trick and leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Cancer June 22 - July 23

There’s still plenty of action on the

sun adding vitality and energy to the mix.

On Monday, you might need to convince a partner or family member that your plans are as good as you think they are. Present them

Venus moves into your romance and leisure zone on Tuesday, there is ample opportunity for romantic interludes and creative pastimes.

! on a romantic break or just spend more time

Leo

June 24 - August 23 While you seem to be making a great impression while discussing a key plan early in the week, you might need to tread with care.

Someone may want more than assurances, namely, facts and proof. Give it to them so things can proceed from there. In general, this is a great time to promote your work, and you seem to be doing so very proactively.

With sultry Venus sashaying into your home zone on Tuesday, this can be an excellent opportunity to beautify your home

Virgo August 24 - Sept 24 "

can be a good move because you’ll then have the resources to implement potentially lucrative ideas.

Keep looking for ways to save and invest wisely

and months.

With convivial Venus moving into your sector of talk and thought on Tuesday, you’ll be in a great position to negotiate. Chatty Mercury is already in this zone, so there is much that can be accomplished by putting yourself forward and showcasing your skills and abilities.

Libra Sept. 24 - Oct 22 You could have a minor spat with family members early in the week, and someone might be particularly stubborn. However, with the sun in your sign angling toward sobering Saturn on Monday, this is your chance to be tactful and diplomatic concerning an issue that may have bugged you for some time.

Are you ready to treat yourself? Sweet Venus, your guide planet, moves into Scorpio and your money zone, so this can be a good opportunity to invest in yourself.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 22 With the sun and dynamic Mars, your co-ruler, stirring up a subtler sector of your chart, this is an opportunity to do some emotional housecleaning.

Processing through issues that may have caused

This might mean talking face-to-face with the person in question, but the healing that comes with this can make it so worthwhile. Luscious Venus joins chatty Mercury in your sign on Tuesday, which means you’ll be in your element and ready to enjoy more of the social scene.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22 You might want to take part in a social event or other fun occasion, but the thought of the expense could be holding you # $ !

!

not enjoy yourself? The focus on your social sector continues all week, and it could see you enjoying the chance to reach out and move in new circles. However, lovely Venus moves into Scorpio and a more secluded zone on Tuesday, bringing an opportunity to connect with yourself and embrace and accept feelings that you may not want to acknowledge.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

With a major focus on a prominent zone of your chart, you could be a star in the making. This is very much the time to promote your work, brush up your resume, and generally make a good impression. Want to move up in the world? Promoting good relationships with the right people can assist you. Still, you might resent someone’s authority on Monday, which could undermine an important relationship. This is a temporary aspect.

Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19 The chance to reach out for new opportunities can allow you to live up to your potential. Fiery Mars is powering through your sector of far horizons, so this is very much a time to move out of your comfort zone and enjoy being adventurous. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back as it could do earlier in the week. This isn’t the time to give in but to move beyond it and discover what you’re capable of. With convivial Venus moving into Scorpio and a more prominent zone on Tuesday, this is a good time to connect with those who

%

manager, clients, or anyone

Pisces Feb 20 - March 20 Are you ready to transform your life? Warrior Mars powers through a more intense zone along with the sun, making this one of the better times to let go of whatever no longer serves your best interests.

This is easier said than done, though, because the process of detaching from people or situations that have been a part of your life for some while can be hard. If your sixth sense tells you that you need to move on, you can open a space for new opportunities.

20

Bollywood

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Press release

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Here are some tips to help you survive student life, and thrive at it.

As a college or university student, it’s quite natural to feel overwhelmed when you’ve made that journey away from home. It might be your first year of post-secondary and you’re moving to a new, unfamiliar place, starting to live on campus.

Or you’re a grad student renting an apartment with someone you may or may not know. Regardless of your situation, there are essential survival tips that can help you get through these exciting, yet challenging, times and to help you successfully manage school, work, life and everything in between: Put education first: It might seem obvious to prioritize education above all else, but it can be easy for your focus to shift as you juggle your schooling. It’s important to continuously check in and remember that your time should be dedicated to your future career path. Time management

PICS celebrating seniors week On October 5th, 2019 PICS is celebrating International Week of Seniors. This event will be organized at PICS Seniors Assisted Living from 1:30pm - 3:30 pm. This event is a part of SIYSCorps initiative where participants receive a grant of $1000 to plan their own community based project. This event is to celebrate seniors and their many contributions- providing an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the integral part seniors play in communities across British Columbia. There will be 12 performers and about 50 – 70 people at the event. PICS Society provides independent and Assisted Living facility for seniors. As well as a safe house for women and children. PICS Society is also in the process of creating a Seniors Long Term Care Home (Diversity Village) in the future. ________

Press release

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA welcomes e-vehicle pilot project After several years of advocating, KelownaLake Country MLA, Norm Letnick, is pleased to see the government acting on an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, which would enable pilot projects in B.C. cities for electric vehicles such as e-scooters and Segways to operate on B.C. streets and roadways. “Cities like Kelowna will now have the opportunity to begin pilot projects for electric vehicles,” says Letnick. “The potential benefits to our environment, increase in active transportation, displacement of some cars, and affordable transportation are strong reasons to move forward with pilot programs in B.C.” Earlier this year, a pilot project was introduced for an e-scooter ridesharing program in Kelowna, which proved widely popular, seeing over 25,000 uses in only three onths. “Of course, there are serious safety concerns that will need to be addressed,” added Letnick. “But through these pilot projects, cities like Kelowna will be able to identify the risks and create solutions that will allow residents to operate these e-vehicles safely and reduce our community’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

Durga Puja 2019 at Burnaby Siv Mandir 5600 Dorset St., Burnaby, BC Burnaby Shiv Mandir is celebrating Sharodia Durga Puja from 11 to 13 October 2019 with enthusiasm and festivity at Burnaby Shiv Mandir.

Please join us with your family and friends to celebrate the event sharing love, joy and blessing.

Yours sincerely, Jaydip Chakraborty President, Utsab

In Canada for higher education? and prioritization will not only get you through your student years but these transferable skills will serve you well throughout your career and your life.

Stick to a budget: Student life comes with several big expenses – and all at once. Tuition, rent, books, etc. add up quickly, which often means taking on debt and managing payments.

As an international student getting used to Canadian currency, budgeting and figuring out how much things cost can

also be a challenge. It’s important to know and understand your budget prior to starting school so you can rework your personal finances to suit your new student

21

lifestyle. Create a support system: While it’s important to make new friends, it’s a good idea to keep existing friends and family close. Those who’ve known you for years are great resources to lean on if you feel stressed. The balance of major milestones and prioritizing school can be especially challenging as an international student as you’re are also learning the way of life in Canada. Regular phone calls, video chats and checking in with family and friends back home can help you cope through all the change and challenges that this new life will bring.

International students can find advice to help you save more and settle in faster at rbc.com/ newcomers.

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

Press release

Helping vulnerable youth find real connection in a digital world The day Brittany Milla turned 18, her whole world changed

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ELUS Mobility for Good is dialling up success for thousands of young Canadians as they transition out of foster care

Brittany Milla, 23, is among Ontario’s first recipients of the Mobility for Good program, which equips qualified young adults with a smartphone and free wireless plan for two years.

When most kids are celebrating a major milestone in their lives, Brittany’s 18th birthday was marked by the loss of many of the financial and emotional resources that had helped to sustain her throughout an otherwise unsettled childhood.

She was seven when she and her younger brother were taken into the Ontario foster care system. The siblings moved together through several shortterm foster homes before they were split up and sent to live with different families.

At 18, Brittany began her transition out of the foster system. That meant finding her own place to live, buying groceries, and paying for heating and electricity — all on a tight monthly allowance and zero credit score. With barely enough money to cover rent in her Brantford community, she took the bus to the local food bank and struggled home alone with the donated food and toiletries she needed to get her through the toughest of times.

Worse, unable to afford a mobile phone or internet connection, she felt isolated from a vital network of supporters and resource providers who’d helped her to cope throughout her teenage years. “It was brutal,� she recalls.

Sadly, it’s an experience shared by thousands of young Canadians.

Every year about 2,300 youth age out of Canada’s child welfare system. Many, like Brittany, are not prepared to transition to independent life and don’t have the support of permanent families to help

them get on their feet. Without the proper resources available, many leaving the system face increased risks of poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, relationship breakdowns, anxiety, depression and suicide. “When you become an adult, stability and structure is something you need, but how do you have that when you were never given stability or structure growing up,� says Brittany. “You are basically all on your own.�

Now 23, she can still recall with vivid clarity the fear and alienation that threatened to envelop her — just as she was starting to build her own life. Although she’s come a long way, it’s still an uphill battle to afford the basic amenities that many Canadians take for granted. So when she learned of a new program that equips young adults leaving the foster care system with a smartphone and a two-year free wireless plan, she jumped at it.

Called TELUS Mobility for Good, the ground-breaking social program also gives participants unlimited talk and text nationwide, as well as 3GB of data per month.

And though it’s free of charge, participants will still receive bills in their name, giving them the

chance to build a credit score.

To date, nearly 1,600 youth, all of whom have been through the Canadian child care system, have joined Brittany in accessing the program since it was launched in Ontario in 2018 by TELUS, in partnership with Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. Pilot programs are also operating in British Columbia and Quebec through separate partnerships with TELUS. As of March 2019, thousands more youth, aged 18 to 26, are now eligible following the expansion of TELUS Mobility for Good in Alberta, Manitoba and New Brunswick.

Va l e r i e Mc Mu r t r y, president and CEO, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, called the program “a lifechanging and potentially lifesaving connection� for the thousands of young Canadians who are transitioning out of care.

For these kids, a smartphone is “a lifeline to help them achieve independence,� she said.

Brittany Milla with baby Gracelyn, born in January 2019. Little Red Bike Photography For TELUS, the program builds on the

company’s continuing work to help vulnerable young Canadians realize their dreams and drive digital equality in a hyper-connected world. TELUS Health for Good, which brings necessary medical care to Canadians living on the streets, and TELUS Internet for Good, which brings internet to low-income families, further support this commitment.

Brittany is among Ontario’s program recipients and she is grateful to have the cushion of support as she moves to get her life on track.

It’s a big change from when she first tried to get a cell phone from a low-cost carrier a few years ago. With no credit history and no family to back her up financially, she was denied because she couldn’t afford the $500 deposit. It was a big blow, impeding almost every aspect of her life, from securing an apartment to job hunting and scheduling schooling. “You can’t exist without a cell phone. Without it, you lose quality of life. But if you choose to have a phone, you lose something else, like food,� she says of the difficult choices she was previously forced to make.

These days, the future is bright; Brittany is a new mom to Gracelyn, born in January, and a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, with plans to become a social worker. She is also back in touch with her younger brother and serves as a youth ambassador for the Children’s Aid Foundation.

Still, she worries for others out there who may feel cut off from the world.

It’s why, when she talks of Mobility for Good, it brings tears to her eyes. “It’s a very practical program,� she says. “But it is actually changing people’s lives.�

This story was provided by TELUS for commercial purposes.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

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Press release

Global chart topping Indo - Pakistani Canadian group JoSH the Band captures their inspiring journey in new content series with Samsung Canada JoSH the Band- Global chart topping Indo Pakistani Canadian group JoSH the Band captures their inspiring journey in new content series with Samsung Canada Canadian performance duo share their unique creative journey with the Galaxy A series Samsung Electronics Canada announced a new partnership with international chart - toppers JoSH the Band, a Canadian Indo -Pakistani Bhangra pop music group that has sold more than three million albums worldwide.

The partne rship spotlights the singer - songwriters behind JoSH (pronounced “Joe SH”), Rup Magon and Qurram “Q” Hussain, both of the Greater Toronto Area, with a series of #CaptureYourJourney videos as they share their inspiring journey to becoming close bandmates and international recording stars . JoSH the Band have been named MTV India’s

Artist of the Year, collaborated with internationally -renown recording artists and performed at sold out shows in 25 countries worldwide . Rup and Q both have families in Canada, and reveal how they stay connected a s well as celebrate cultural traditions “Technology has completely transformed how people engage with culture –today we have so much available in the palm of our hand,” said Q. “Our story is one that we feel is echoed by many Canadians about discovering identity, overcoming barriers and pursuing a dream – and with Samsung Canada and the Galaxy A series we see an exciting opportunity to tell that story and encourage Canadians to share thei r own.” The video series will be shared by both JoSH the Band and Samsung across social media, and Canadians can follow their story using the hashtag #CaptureYourJourney. “We are excited to be bringing this partnership to life for

Canadian fans,” says Da vid Allard, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Canada.

“As part of Samsung’s ongoing efforts to highlightthe incredible diversity ofoursmartphone users, this is ajourney that celebratesCanadiancultural moments through the power of technology– and the Galaxy Aseries’versatile cameraswith an Ultra-Wide angle lens makes it easy for people to capture moments in real-time At a media event on October 8 , 2019 at the Samsung Experience Store in the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Rup and Q joined the Samsung Canada leadership team to debut the first video from the upcoming #CaptureYourJourney content series. Galaxy A Series Samsunglaunchedthe Galaxy A seriesin June at major retail locations and carrierpartners nationwide, expanding the mid -tier device portfolio and delivering exciting new device options at an accessible price point. Designed for the way that people connect today –sharing, capturing and consume ng live content he Galaxy A20, A50 ,and A70 provide Generation Z, young millennials and like -minded consumers with an opportunity to choose from a variety of models to suit their needs and passions.To see the first #CaptureYourJourney videowith JoSH the Bandplease visit Samsung Canada’s YouTube page at youtube.com/user/ SamsungCanada. To learn more about Samsung and its latest innovations, please visit: Samsung.com/ca.

About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires Canadians to reach their full potential through a transformative ecosystem of products and services that deliver innovation and distinct design to every aspect of their connected lives. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, virtual reality and wearable devices, tablets and digital appliances. In 2019, Samsung was ranked as one of Canada’s “Most Admired Brands” in Leger’s Corporate Reputation Study.” “Best Global Brands” list. Dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of Canadians, Samsung’s award winning corporate giving initiatives support public education and health related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada, or Instagram @samsun gcanada or Twitter @SamsungCanada.

Press release

Over 25,000 BC jobs gone thanks to John Horgan and the NDP MLA Jordan Sturdy, the BC Liberal Jobs Critic, is sounding the alarm after British Columbia lost jobs for the fourth straight month while the rest of Canada as a whole saw impressive increases in employment. “In the last four months under John Horgan, British Columbia has lost over 25,000 jobs, while the rest of Canada gained jobs,” said Sturdy.

“Over two years of John Horgan’s NDP economics is killing the B.C. economy.”

Today’s job numbers from Statistics Canada paint a grim picture, showing British Columbia on the decline for the fourth consecutive month.

The Lower Mainland has lost 17,600 jobs in the last two months in the middle of an affordability crisis where 44 per cent of British Columbians are $200 or less away from insolvency at the end of each month. Yesterday, a report was released from

ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) that concluded British Columbia is not prepared to withstand any economic shocks or downturns should debt levels continue to rise. S&P then threatened to downgrade BC’s AAA credit rating amid concerns about rising debt to revenue rates under the NDP. “John Horgan and the NDP promised to make life more affordable for British Columbians. Instead, they introduced 19 new or increased taxes, killed competitiveness, and are now putting tens of thousands of people out of work with no plan to create jobs or grow the economy,” concluded Sturdy. “Over 16 years the BC Liberals built the top provincial economy in the country and the NDP have managed to ruin it in just two years.”

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Vol. 10 No. 37

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Saturday - October 12, 2019

Tel: 604-591-5423

Several councillors have Vancouver approves more market rental regularly said no to divisive rezoning for a new rental apartment in the rental projects — but they’re from different parties A model of the 35- heart of the city’s eastside on Tuesday, but it unit rental building that Vancouver council didn’t come without considerable debate. By a 6-3 vote, council voted in favour of a proposed approved on Grant Street five-storey, 35-unit between Woodland and apartment on Grant Cotton Drive, which will Street, just a block displace seven rental units west of Commercial in four houses currently Drive. It will replace on the property. (City of four homes that have Vancouver) Vancouver been purchased by the city council approved

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oronto has emerged as the world’s second most overvalued housing market on the back of low rates and supply shortages, according to UBS AG’s annual global real estate bubble index.

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com

housing after contentious public hearing developer, and the proposal met the guidelines for the Grandview-Woodland community plan passed earlier this decade. “The choice here is not to leave these homes.

It’s either for a four-storey condo building, or what’s in front of us,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart, who voted in favour of the apartment building, along with councillors Christine Boyle,

Melissa De Genova, Lisa Dominato, Sarah Kirby-Yung and Michael Wiebe. “So that’s the choice. We need rental housing more than we need a million and a half condos.” The public hearing took place over two days, with dozens of speakers and 168 letters submitted.

Councillor Jean Swanson voted against the rezoning, arguing it would only displace low-income

dollar condos are heating up Montreal’s luxury housing market, but Toronto still head of the pack First-time home buyers could save $286 a month on mortgage payments under new federal

Toronto is now the world’s second most overvalued property market: Vancouver was sixth in the Swiss bank’s 2019 index that is led by Munich, with Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Frankfurt filling out the other top spots.

Toronto’s housing prices tripled between 2000 and 2017 and even the introduction of a foreign buyer’s tax and tighter mortgage rules only temporarily cooled red-hot prices, according to UBS Million-

The latest Canadian house price Canadian house price forecast: What the forecast from Moody’s Analytics that too. The forecast calls for house prices really has no good news for anyone. If you’re nationwide to grow by an average of 2.2 per a homeowner hoping to make big equity cent per year over the next five years. Given gains, forget it. And if you’re an aspiring that the Bank of Canada is predicting inflation homebuyer hoping for a reprieve from at 2 per cent in the coming years, this means astronomical urban house prices, forget that inflation-adjusted house prices will likely

next 5 years will look like in 33 cities see no net growth. With Canada’s economy bouncing back from a slowdown at the start of the year, Moody’s expects mortgage rates to rise by a full percentage point over the next two years. That increase in monthly housing costs, combined with high prices and high debt levels,

program will keep prices in check, the research firm predicts.

“House price appreciation will slow down in 2020, turn briefly negative in 2021, and only recover in the following years,” wrote Andres Carbacho-Burgos, a director and head housing economist at Moody’s Analytics.

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

Reasons why Canada’s apartment building owners are happy

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ental apartment building market in Canada is trongest it’s ever been, especially from the perspective of apartment building owners.

Buildings are practically full across the country, rental rates are at or near 10-year highs in nearly every market, and average national rents have climbed 4.4 per cent annually over the last two years, according to a new report by commercial property brokerage house CBRE. This rapid rise of rental rates is earning more money for building owners. Total annualized returns for the Canadian multifamily sector were 9.8 per cent as of the first quarter of this year, just behind the industrial sector. Canada’s national average rental apartment vacancy rate ended 2018 at 2.4 per cent, below the 10-year average of 2.6, CBRE said in its national multifamily mid-year update.

Investors are lining up to get into the market in most cities. Multifamily investment volume reached record levels for four consecutive years, including an all-time high of $8.3 billion in 2018.

Apartments are traditionally viewed as stable and defensive assets to own, said CBRE Canada vicechairman Paul Morassutti. “(The asset class) never displays great amounts of volatility,” he told Postmedia last week. “Very rarely would you have declines in rental rates or net operating income. Typically, things would go up in a

slow and steady fashion and it was always a favoured asset class for all those reasons.”

Here are other main drivers that Morassutti and his firm believe will continue to stoke demand for apartment buildings in Canada. Population growth: Canada’s population is expected to grow by nearly one per cent annually over the next four years, surpassing growth in all other G7 countries, the report said. Much of this momentum is being fuelled by immigration, which accounted for 80.5 per cent of the country’s population growth last year. The government has a plan to welcome one million new immigrants between 2019 and 2021. Much of that new population is settling in the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver regions, with Toronto and Vancouver experiencing the sharpest annual apartment rental price growth of 5.0 per cent

and 7.1 per cent, respectively, over the past four years.

Shortage of new supply Canada’s big cities are not building enough new rental apartments to keep up with demand, when compared to global peers, the report said.

The largest rental market in Canada is Montreal with just under 600,000 units. Toronto follows well

behind with 313,000 units, and Vancouver trails with just 109,000 units. Units on the secondary market, including privately rented condos, do close the gap, but it’s clear that renters across the country need more options, or else rents will continue to climb.

While we are seeing increased construction of rental units more recently, the overall number remains relatively low, Morassutti said.

Rising cost of home ownership An expanding proportion of Canada’s big-city dwellers can’t afford to buy a home. This factor, above all others, is probably having the greatest effect on stoking apartment rental prices, while spurring investors to buy buildings, Morassutti said. “In Toronto, if you want to buy a detached house or semi-detached house, you need to have a household income of close to $200,000,” he said. “The average household income in Toronto I believe is something like $100,000.” (According to the last Canadian census, the average household in the Greater Toronto Area earned $87,993 after tax.) That leaves residents with only a couple of choices. They can buy a condo, or they can rent.

“As affordability has become more of an issue, and it’s an issue that I don’t believe is going to go away in (Vancouver and Toronto), that will continue to underpin strong rental growth — especially when we really don’t have a lot of supply in purpose-built housing coming on stream,” Morassutti said.

Condos, the ‘future of our communities,’ now cost more per square foot than a detached home Condominiums may be the “future of our communities” but per square foot, they are hardly a bargain. According to a Royal LePage report released today, aside from Vancouver and Calgary, every major city’s condo price per square foot has increased. With the exception of Vancouver, the median price per square foot of a condo is now higher than that of a single family detached home nationwide. Canadian home prices are up — but by the smallest amount in

a decade. Seven reasons Canada’s housing market is stronger than it looks Vancouver’s housing market is dismal — but you still need six-figure income to get your foot in the door “While condo units are smaller, they are the present and future of our communities. With more development opportunities, they can meet both the growing need for housing and lifestyle expectations of homebuyers,” said Phil Soper, the president of Royal LePage in a

press release. The Greater Ottawa condo price per square foot appreciated the fastest among the cities that were measured, rising 17.9 per cent year-over-year to $395, while the Greater Vancouver price actually declined the most by 8.3 per cent to $764. “We are seeing significant interest in Ottawa’s south and west ends from residents working in the nearby military and technology hubs,” said Kent Browne, broker

Over 11% of Vancouver condos have a non-resident owner, says new CMHC report

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

Over 11 percent of Vancouver condos have at least one non-resident as an owner, a number that jumps to more than 19 per cent when it comes to newer built condos.

The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents — defined as someone who

doesn’t have their principal residence in Canada — tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver.

Some of the other findings: 7.2 per cent of all Vancouver properties have at least one non-resident owner.

Non-resident ownership is highest in

and owner of Royal LePage TEAM Realty. The city of Vancouver remains the most expensive condo market in the country, with homebuyers paying $1,044 per square foot for a condo and $1,279 per square foot for a single-family detached home. Greater Calgary offers the lowest condo price per square foot, with a fall of 6.7 per cent to $313.“For the fourth consecutive month, condo inventory in the region declined compared to last year.

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Classifieds / Jobs Looking for work?

Cleaning company wanted workers for clean up job in Coquitlam For more details please call 604-902-2858

Matrimonial Punjabi Bansal family seeking a suitable mach for their 31 year old,” son, Height 5’.11, Handsome,Sober, soft spoken, vegetarian currently in Patiala Punjab India. He has done studies in BTech Computer Science and working in Judicial Department as IT Analyst in Patiala. Girl should be well educated and family oriented freferably Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent resident. For more details please call 604-617-0615 or email Kushal.20776@gmail.com

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Matrimonial Seeking match for a Canadian Citizen,BSC Nursing, good family value, 31 years old girl from a reputed family, Boy must be well educated & Vegetarian.

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Matrimonial Parents are seeking suitable match for for their British born son of 31 year age, holding Master degree in Marketing and he is in Canada on work permit.

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Help wanted Clean-up company is looking for contractors or sub-contracters, please call:

Phone: 778-240-0101 / 604-902-2858 South Asian Adults & Seniors - Common Orthopedic Problems faced by Seniors, Dr. Jiya Gill Naturopathic Physician on 13th October 2019 from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm.

Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults, Senior members and nonmembers also to attend a very important presentation on Common Orthopedic Problems faced by Seniors ( Knees & Pelvic ) by Dr. Jiya Gill a Naturopathic Physician PGDYN from New Delhi India on 13th October 2019 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple 8321 - 140th street Surrey BC V3W 5K9. There will be questions and answer session after the presentation, a unique approach to improve health and treating illness, Dr. Jiya Gill will answer all your questions about treating Orthopedic Problems through Naturopathy. Tea and light snacks will be served in the end. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 for further information.

Child care provider required at a private home Location Surrey, BC - Salary $14.50 to $14.75 / Hour (To be negotiated) Permanent, Full time 40 Hours / Week Start date As soon as possible Job requirements Languages English Education College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years Experience 1 year to less than 2 years Additional Skills Assume full responsibility for household in absence of parents, Perform light housekeeping and cleaning duties, Shop for food and household supplies, Travel with family on trips and assist with child supervision and housekeeping duties, Wash, iron and press clothing and household linens Children’s Ages School age (6 - 12 years), and 2 - 3 years Specific Skills Bathe,

dress and feed infants and children, Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents, Prepare infants and children for rest periods, Keep records of daily activities and health information regarding children, Sterilize bottles, prepare formulas and change diapers for infants, Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home, Take children to and from school and to appointments, Tend to emotional well-being of children, Instruct children in personal hygiene and social development, Organize, activities such as games and outings for children, Prepare and serve nutritious meals, Supervise and care for children, Help children with homework Work Setting Employer’s home How to apply By email: umendrasingh@hotmail.com By phone: 604-537-3551

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Housing market forecast through 2020 Home sales in every BC region to recover in 2020 - a forecast. Total home transactions across province expected to rise 11 per cent versus 2019, with average sale prices also predicted to increase in every area.

Although every region in B.C. is expected to see lower home sales in 2019 than in 2018, sales will more than recover in 2020, according to a September 5 forecast by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA).

Overall in 2019, residential transactions across the province are predicted to be five per cent lower, at about 75,000 units, than the 78,505 sales of 2018. Every one of B.C.’s 12 boards is expected to report a year-overyear decline in total sales across 2019, with drops ranging from one to 14 per cent.

However, BCREA forecasted that every board will see considerable sales jumps in 2020, totalling a province-wide increase of

nearly 11 per cent to 82,700 homes — which the association said would be just below the 10-year annual average.

“B.C. markets are showing signs of recovery after nearly a year and a half of policy-induced declines,” said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA’s deputy chief economist. “We expect that recovery to continue into next year, with home sales normalizing around long-term averages.”

BCREA BC home sales forecast Sept 2019 Having seen the steepest annual sales declines in 2018, and a forecast drop of 2.2 per cent in 2019, Greater Vancouver is expected to see the biggest recovery in 2020, said BCREA. Home resales in the Greater Vancouver region are predicted to rise 16.3 per cent to 28,500 units — still a far cry from 42,000 sales of 2015, but a marked improvement over both 2018 and 2019.

Alberta plans to fire entire real estate council board, orders total overhaul for Alberta’s real estate regulatory body will receive a complete overhaul, as the government has announced it intends to fire the entire Real Estate Council of Alberta amid allegations of misconduct that date back to 2016.

Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish is ordering the dismissal of all council members on the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA), which oversees the issuing of real estate licenses and consumer complaints, through amendments to the province’s Real Estate Act. Glubish proposed these amendments in the house with Bill 15 on Wednesday afternoon.

Along with firing all eight of the current RECA council members, the amendments will give Glubish the power to appoint a single administrator to carry out RECA’s mandate for a year, subject to renewal, until a new council is formed. It is not clear what the selection criteria will be for the administrator, but Glubish said the focus will be to appoint someone who has “the right skills and competencies to do the job.”

“We have a huge task ahead to solve

this mess,” Glubish said. The dismissal follows an independent review conducted by accounting firm KPMG that began in January under the previous Alberta NDP government. The review was launched after several complaints from consumers about the council’s inability to govern itself effectively.

Issues raised include the council’s inability to form a finance and audit committee. A performance review was also not conducted for RECA’s executive director in 2018.

“The Real Estate Council of Alberta has not been fulfilling its mandate,” Glubish said. “Instead of focusing on the issues facing the real estate industry ... they have been focused on their own internal relationship differences and on trivial matters.” The review also found inconsistencies in how the council granted spending authority to RECA’s administration, and a lack of clarity on the responsibilities of the council Chair, who neglected to hold meetings to elect committee chairs and a

BC Liberal statement on the George Massey Crossing Task Force decision Press release Delta South MLA Ian Paton released the following statement on today’s decision by the George Massey Crossing Task Force: “Today’s announcement does nothing to improve current commutes for motorists and continues to delay any real action on this project for months. Meanwhile, had the NDP gone ahead with the previous plan for a 10lane bridge, the project would be 50 per cent complete and we would be moving towards providing relief for families and commuters stuck in B.C.’s biggest parking lot.

“John Horgan and the NDP have stalled the project for months commissioning redundant studies and reports, wasting taxpayer dollars, and doing nothing to improve the situation for the thousands of commuters who are

stuck in its traffic daily.

“Today’s endorsement of an 8-lane tunnel will have a much greater impact on the Fraser River than a bridge and will require a lengthy environmental assessment. We share these concerns, which were voiced in today’s meeting by Tsawwassen First Nations Chief Ken Baird, who was the only director to vote against today’s motion.

“Ten more years is simply too long for motorists to have to wait for a solution to the worst bottleneck in the province. Families south of the Fraser deserve better from the NDP. “The studies have already been done—it is time to start building a replacement now.”

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Saturday, October 12, 2019

Press release

BC Liberals celebrate small business throughout month of October During the month of October, members of the BC Liberal Caucus will join British Columbians in celebrating the small and medium-sized business sector in our province.“We want to recognize the vital contribution that small and medium-sized

businesses make to the fabric of our economy and to our local communities,” says BC Liberal Small Business Critic and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “Government has an important role to play to promote entrepreneurship and enable small and medium-sized businesses to flourish and provide more employment

opportunities. This can be done by removing the burden of unnecessary and restrictive red tape and encouraging a competitive marketplace through lower taxes.“Over one million British Columbians work in the small business sector and I encourage everyone to demonstrate their support by visiting their favourite small

business and posting a picture on social media using the hashtag: #ShopSmallBiz. By showing your support for local small business – you are not only helping to promote a local entrepreneur – you are also supporting your own community and our province.”

John Horgan’s idea of an investigation is laughable, confirms Sims “review” was a sham Opposition members renewed demands for answers during Question Period today from John Horgan, who continues to express his full confidence in former minister Jinny Sims, despite

never actually looking into allegations as he originally claimed. “This is a Premier who has proclaimed his full confidence in his former minister of Citizens’ Services yet, in the same breath, says he has no idea why his

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Meanwhile, the active police investigation into criminal wrongdoing involving the former Minister of Citizens’ Services, Jinny Sims, is underway and John Horgan refuses to come clean about what he knew, when he knew it, and why he misled the public.

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Statement from Andrew Wilkinson on Yom Kippur Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrew Wilkinson, released the following statement today for Yom Kippur: “As the sun sets this evening, Jewish families across our province will gather to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, and the last of ten days of penitence that began on Rosh Hashanah.

“Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a time for introspection, fasting, and repentance.

Tomorrow, the Jewish community will mark the end of this solemn period and break the fast together. “On behalf of the entire BC Liberal Caucus, I want to recognize all those observing Yom Kippur and wish them an easy fast.

“G’mar Chatimah Tovah!”

Saturday, October 12, 2019

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Port Moody council votes in favour of asking mayor to return to leave of absence Port Moody’s council has voted in favour of asking its mayor to take a leave of absence.

After a lengthy meeting Monday night where Port Moody residents weighed in for nearly two hours, the vote was 4-3 in favour of asking 28-year-old Mayor Rob Vagramov to return to an unpaid leave.

In March, Vagramov was charged with sexual assault and took a voluntary leave of absence for five months. His return wasn’t celebrated by some members of council and the public, however.

The four women on council were the ones who voted in favour of the motion, while the three men – including Vagramov – voted against.

It’s unclear, however, if Vagramov will actually follow that request. \“I thank council for their input and I take all these comments, especially what we hear here at public input to heart, and into consideration,” he said after the vote.

Court documents suggest the leave was connected to an incident in Coquitlam four years ago. Last month, he said his legal team was looking for ways to get to a resolution that wouldn’t require a trial.

“This process should no longer require the level of involvement and attention that it once did, and as such, I no longer require the leave granted to me,” the mayor said at a news conference at the time.

Ahead of the meeting, Coun. Diana Dilworth said since Vagramov’s been back, members of the public have shown their disapproval, particularly at the last council meeting. “There was members of the community yelling at each other,” she said. There was women who have been victims of sexual abuse that were crying. It was an absolute gongshow and it really distracts from our ability to do the job that we were elected to do.” After Tuesday’s vote, Dilworth said Vagramov’s participation in the vote was troubling.

“I’m shocked the mayor did not have the integrity to see he was in blatant conflict of interest and should not have been voting on a motion that directly related to his participation on Port Moody city council,” she said.

As there is nothing binding about the motion, it’s now ultimately up to the mayor whether he will continue with his job while the charge against him remains unresolved.

Vagramov did not give a timeline on when he would make a decision and his case is due back in court next month. He has denied the allegations against him.

Two Toronto cops charged with theft and perjury in connection with drug arrest Two Toronto police officers have been charged in connection with an investigation into allegations of theft and perjury.

According to investigators, the allegations stemmed from an arrest that occurred in May 2017, when a man was taken into custody by officers from 12 Division on various drug and gun related offences.

A quantity of cash was seized at the time of the arrest, but according to a news release issued on Wednesday, the officers allegedly “failed to account for a portion of that money.”

Investigators also said that during the preliminaryinquiryofthemancharged,theofficers allegedly provided false or misleading testimony.

“All charges against the male person were subsequently stayed at the discretion of Public Prosecutions Services of Canada,” the news release read.

On Wednesday, Const. Aseem Malhi and Const. Richard White turned themselves in to the Professional Standards Unit.

They have been jointly charged with theft over $5,000 and obstructing justice. They have each also been individually charged with perjury.

The officers, who have each served 12 years with the force, have been suspended with pay.

They are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31.

After Broncos crash some truck drivers permanently exempt from training standards enacted after Broncos crash - minister With growing calls for clarity on the matter from parents of victims in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, Alberta’s transportation minister confirmed Thursday that some truck drivers will be permanently exempt from new training standards announced in the wake of the Saskatchewan crash that killed 16 people. “A comparatively small number of individuals passed their Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence before the MELT (mandatory entry-level training) requirement came into effect (but after the intention of MELT was announced),” Transportation Minister Ric McIver said in an emailed statement. “These drivers played by the rules as they stood at the time. To be clear, MELT training was not even available for these select drivers at the time they passed their exam.” McIver said those drivers are being treated the same as the “170,000 Class 1 or 2 drivers that the previous NDP government grandfathered.”

“Officials are reviewing driving records of those select individuals,” McIver said.

“Drivers without a clean driving record will need to retest under the new MELT road and knowledge test.

Before the UCP changes were made, drivers who acquired their licence between Oct. 11, 2018 and February 2019 had to take an enhanced MELT test to keep their licence.

That will no longer be the case if those drivers have a clean driving records.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Toronto Liberal candidate Judy Sgro apologizes for ‘insensitive’ comments about Trudeau’s blackface

Jane and Finch anti-poverty activist Butterfly Gopaul says the recent defence of Justin Trudeau’s “blackface” incidents by Liberal Humber River-Black Creek candidate Judy Sgro reaffirms how current political representation is failing the black community.

Sgro, who is hoping to return as MP for the community she has represented since 1999, defended the Liberal leader’s blackface incidents during an interview on the GBKM. FM (Great Benin Kingdom Media) station.

In the interview, Sgro said that the incidents happened 20 years ago, and “all of us were young at one time, and all of us sometimes made poor choices, and did things that may not be appropriate in today’s world.”

What she said next is what created all the furor on Twitter: “Let me tell you that, knocking on doors and

being in the plazas and talking to people to make sure that I’m as sensitive as I need to be if I miss something ... Those in the Black community have told of how much more love they have for the prime minister. That he wanted to have a blackface. That he took great pride in that, too. And that it’s the media that has blown this into something that it shouldn’t be.”

Sgro was at a debate at Seneca@York Wednesday, where she was approached by toronto.com reporter Aaron D’Andrea for comment. She apologized for the “insensitivity of my comments,” but refused to say anything more.

“I think my statement speaks for itself, that’s why I’m not going to be commenting any further,” she added.

Her statement was emailed and shared on social media.

4 Teens charged in fatal Hamilton school stabbing Police say four teens are facing firstdegree murder charges in the stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy outside a Hamilton high school. Police origina Police say they have also recovered a knife near the school believed to

be

Devan Bracci-Selvey, 14

the weapon used to kill Selvey.

Investigators have said the teen died just after 1 p.m. on Monday, while his mother looked on.

Police say they believe his death was premeditated, but have declined to offer any more information about the relationships between the victim and the accused.

Earlier 4 teens in custody in stabbing death of boy outside Hamilton school Hamilton police arrested two more teens in connection with the stabbing death of a student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School on Monday.

The new arrests are of two 16-year-olds, a male and a female, and both are in custody for first-degree murder. They have not yet been charged. Those arrests bring the total number to four, after an 18-year-old and

a 14-year-old were arrested and charged with first-degree murder on Monday.

On Tuesday, police identified the victim as 14-year-old Devan Bracci-Selvey.

He was attacked behind his high school just before 1:30 p.m. ET on Monday while he was with his mother. His death marks the city’s ninth homicide in 2019.

“This entire incident is disturbing. It’s difficult to comprehend right now, to be honest with you. I can’t imagine the way the [victim’s] family feels right now,” said Det.-Sgt. Steve Bereziuk during a media update Tuesday afternoon.

He added police have received help from numerous witnesses, and had located a knife near the scene that’s believed to be the weapon used in the attack.

“I think this is one of these investigations that hits the heart of the community. It’s very serious and people sympathize.”

The first two accused made brief appearances at the John Sopinka Courthouse on Tuesday.

Their names are covered by a publication ban. They remain in custody ahead of their next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 21.

Both are barred from contacting a list of 26 people whose names were read out in court. Bereziuk said many of those names are people who came forward to help with the investigation and he expected that list to grow.

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Property developers step up residential construction as housing market emerges from deep freeze Canada’s housing industry is booming with construction permits surging as developers respond to strong demand, according to new data out Tuesday.

Building permits rose 6.1 per cent in August to $9 billion, compared to a one per cent increase estimated by analysts, largely because of increases in multi-family and industrial permits, Statistics Canada reported.

Quebec led the gains with more than a third of the value, while six other provinces reported increases, the agency said.

“On the residential side, the number of units came in at 247,000 annualized in the month, flagging continued strength in housing starts down the road,” wrote Robert Kavcic, senior economist, at BMO Capital Markets. “Indeed, the yearto-date average for permits is a lofty 237k, so it looks like there’s plenty in the pipeline to keep residential construction activity humming.”

Housing starts were solid but on fell 2.5 per cent in September on an annualized basis to 221,202 from 226,871 in the previous month, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Toronto is now the world’s second most overvalued property market: UBS Million-dollar condos are heating up Montreal’s luxury housing market, but Toronto still head of the pack Canadian home sales outlook hiked as prices rack up biggest gains in two years Single-detached starts fell by 8 per cent to 58,600 units during the month, but remain above

the trough posted earlier in the year. Meanwhile, multi-unit starts were flat at 162,000 units.

“September’s outturn caps a strong third quarter for new housing construction which, alongside a probable increase in home sales, points to a healthy gain in residential investment,” noted TD Canada economist Rishi Sondhi.

“Overall, while we could get some growth from real estate agents fees and renovations, the pop in GDP growth we got from housing in Q2 is likely to be be less vigorous in the

next couple of quarters,” the economist said.

Combined, the two sets of data reflect strong demographic demand, both from international inflows and new households created within Canada, Kavcic said.

“That was somewhat stronger than expected and continues the relentless level of building activity.”

Ontario, which needs “every last unit at this point,” according to Kavcic, and B.C. lead the boom fuelled by population inflows and resilient economies.

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Ottawa tells court First Nation child welfare compensation order could cost $8 billion A senior federal official says a human rights tribunal ruling ordering Ottawa to compensate First Nations children apprehended through the on-reserve child welfare system could cost the federal government up to $8 billion, according to Federal Court records.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Ottawa in early September to compensate all First Nations children removed from their homes and communities through the child welfare system since Jan. 1, 2006. The ruling also covers the Yukon.

The tribunal found that Ottawa’s conduct was “devoid of caution, with little to no regard to the consequences,” and placed monetary interests ahead of the human rights of First Nations children.

The tribunal also ordered Ottawa to compensate the parents or grandparents

(depending on who was the primary caregiver) of children unnecessarily apprehended.

Parents or grandparents of children removed for abuse were excluded from the ruling.

The compensation order follows a 2016 tribunal ruling that found Ottawa discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding on-reserve child welfare services.

Ottawa would face a cost of $6 billion if it paid out all the compensation by 2020 — or $7.9 billion if the compensation process is stretched out to 2026 — Sony Perron, the associate deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), said in an affidavit filed with the Federal Court.

Perron stated that the department needs a mandate from cabinet to spend that much and to set up the complex structure needed to distribute compensation.

Perron said the internal departmental estimates were based on the number of children in care since 2005.

There are an estimated 50,000 First Nations children in foster care.

“The issue here is not whether the discrimination ... existed ... Canada has accepted that result,” said Perron in the affidavit.

“The issue ... is that the tribunal has issued a sweeping decision that will significantly impact ISC and Crown-Indigenous relations and that raises important questions of public policy that only cabinet can decide.”

The affidavit was filed to support a motion filed by Ottawa seeking a stay of the tribunal’s compensation order. Ottawa wants the stay in place until the Federal Court rules on a connected judicial review filing seeking to overturn the ruling.

The Liberal government’s decision to challenge the compensation order was widely condemned by First Nations leaders across the country.

It also flared as an election issue when NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May criticized Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau over the move.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said a Liberal government would compensate First Nation children affected by the tribunal ruling.

Trudeau said during the federal leaders’ debate this week that a re-elected Liberal government would compensate First Nations children affected by the ruling, but did not explain how.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has said he also would have sought a judicial review.

Federal Justice Canada lawyers argued in the same stay motion filing that Ottawa would suffer “irreparable harm” to the “public interest” if the Federal Court did not grant the stay.

Ottawa could end up spending substantial resources trying to comply with the tribunal order only to potentially see it overturned in the judicial review, said the filing.

“These harms, as they are not their own and cumulatively, are demonstrably ‘irreparable’ as they are not compensable by money or Canada cannot be made whole if successful on judicial review,” said the filing.

Ottawa filed for the judicial review and the motion to stay the tribunal’s order on Oct. 4.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has said he would have taken the tribunal’s ruling to the Federal Court for a judicial

Final debate behind them, federal leaders begin sprints to October 21 voting day Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is leaving Ottawa for the West Coast today, though he’s saying goodbye with an exceptionally early morning rally at a downtown food court before he departs.

With the last debate of the federal election campaign behind them, the leaders are beginning sprints to the finish line: voting day on Oct. 21.

After the 7:30 a.m. event Trudeau flies west to the Vancouver area, taking advantage of the time-zone change to squeeze in multiple appearances with local candidates and then an evening rally in Burnaby.

Advance voting in 2019 federal election

begins Friday, Oct. 11 NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also starts his day in Ottawa, releasing the financial elements of his party’s platform before zipping east to Montreal for some mid-day mainstreeting and then back west to Brampton, Ont., for the evening.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is also in B.C. today, where he’s to reveal his party’s full platform after holding off longer than the other party leaders.

People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier is on the other coast, staging a rally of his own in Halifax, and Green Leader Elizabeth May is lingering in Ottawa for an announcement on foreign and security policy.

Canada adds 54K jobs, as unemployment dips to 5.5% The Canadian economy added a stronger-than-expected 53,700 net jobs in September, with all the gains coming in full-time work and largely driven by the services sector, Statistics Canada data said on Friday in one of its last major economic data releases before a national election.

The national unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent from the 5.7 per cent seen in August, while wages for permanent employees rose 4.3 per cent year-overyear. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a gain of 10,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent.

Friday’s employment figures will likely be welcomed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose governing Liberals are facing a tight re-election campaign against the opposition Conservatives.

Canadians vote on Oct. 21.

Ontario, Canada’s largest province

and a key political battleground in an election that has largely focused on economic issues, gained a net 41,100 jobs in September, far outpacing its other provincial and territorial counterparts.

READ MORE: Ridings to watch: ‘The GTA iswherethiselectionisgoingtobewonandlost’ Statscan said the services sector gained 49,400 jobs in September, mostly in the healthcare and social assistance sectors, while the goods-producing sector saw an increase of 4,300, because of the construction industry. Meanwhile, the number of full-time jobs rose by 70,000, while part-time jobs fell by 16,300.

Canada’s central bank has not moved interest rates since October 2018, even as some of its counterparts – including the U.S. Federal Reserve – have eased. The Bank of Canada has said the Canadian economy is showing a welcome degree of resilience against negative shocks, in part, because of a strong labor market.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Humboldt Broncos families upset by Alberta trucking regulation review Several families affected by the deadly Humboldt Broncos hockey bus crash say they are upset by an Alberta review of trucking regulations.

Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba implemented mandatory training for truck and bus drivers after the crash in April 2018. Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver says the province is taking another look at the rules for school bus drivers and farmers but no decisions have been made.

Families of the 16 people who died and 13 who were injured took to social media to criticize the review, which they called disgusting and ridiculous. Toby Boulet of Lethbridge, Alta., whose son Logan was killed, said the same rules need to apply to commercial and farm drivers. “It’s wrong,” he told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. “Particularly on the large Class 1 operations that work with the agricultural sector. They are driving on the same roads and highways like Mr. Sidhu was driving on at the crash site.” Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, an inexperienced truck driver from Calgary, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after blowing through a stop sign at a rural intersection in Saskatchewan and running directly into the path of the hockey team’s bus. His lack of training was considered

a factor in the crash. Boulet said he’s trying to move forward from his son’s death but the Alberta Transportation review has upset him.

“I thought it was solved, but it’s not solved because economics have gotten in the way of lives.” McIver said later in the day that he had talked with Boulet. “I have tremendous regard and concern for the feelings of the families that were involved in the Humboldt tragedy and wouldn’t want to do anything to make them think we don’t care about safety,” McIver said in Calgary. “If they had that impression, that’s unfortunate. We’re going to try to straighten that impression out. “The fact is no decision has been made … Safety is our top priority.” He said some people in the agriculture and trucking sectors feel increased training is a hardship. The review will include consultation, he added. Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday there may be room to relax the rules. “If a farmer is simply taking their grain truck to the local elevator or perhaps to a regional terminal, and they have a perfect driving record and they’re just driving their own product, I think some consideration might be given there, because they’re not professional truckers in that case. They’re not full-time truckers,” Kenney said. “This is a complex issue.”

Trudeau damaged China relations with SNC-Lavalin affair: Scheer Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer told a roundtable of journalists from ethnic media outlets that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau caused further damage to Canada’s standing with China following the SNC-Lavalin affair.

Scheer made the argument Tuesday as he fielded questions — including several on Canada’s strained relationship with China — from a couple of dozen journalists in the Greater Toronto Area. Canada has been in a diplomatic dispute with China since the arrest last December of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on an extradition request from the United States. In the days that followed, China detained two Canadians on espionage allegations, moves that Trudeau has called “arbitrary.” China has also rejected key Canadian imports, including canola and pork. Beijing has argued that Meng’s arrest in Canada was politically motivated, but Trudeau says Canadian authorities have been following the law: Meng is wanted in the U.S. on bankfraud charges, related to allegations she lied to

banks in an effort to get around U.S. sanctions against Iran. I believe that Trudeau really did weaken our position with China as it relates to the SNC-Lavalin scandal.Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer Scheer tried to draw connections Tuesday among the China-Canada dispute, the Meng case and a controversy that engulfed Trudeau’s government earlier this year. A stinging report in August by federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion concluded that Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act by improperly pressuring former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to stop a criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, a Quebec engineering and construction giant, on corruption charges. “I believe that Trudeau really did weaken our position with China as it relates to the SNC-Lavalin scandal,” Scheer said at a restaurant in Mississauga. “On the one hand, his message to the government of China with the case of the Huawei executive was that he could not interfere in the court case, that we have an independent proceeding

Liberal candidate apologizes for suggesting black Canadians ‘love’ Trudeau for wearing blackface A Toronto-area Liberal candidate is apologizing for suggesting people “in the black community” like Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau more because he dressed up in blackface.

Nearly two weeks ago, Judy Sgro, who is vying for re-election in the riding of Humber River-Black Creek, gave a one-on-one interview with a news organization called GBKM FM. During the interview, she was asked about Trudeau wearing blackface makeup.

“Those in the black community have told me how much more love they have for the prime minister, that he wanted to have a black face. That he took great pride in that, too,” Sgro said. “And that it’s the media that have blown this into something that it shouldn’t be and that they’re very supportive.”

Sgro said nearly everyone has made “poor choices” in the past.

Liberal candidate suggests voters have ‘more love’ for Trudeau following blackface scandal In an interview with a local radio station, Ontario Liberal candidate Judy Sgro

suggests that black voters in her riding like Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau more because of his history with blackface. 1:39 A video clip from that interview resurfaced today and is being widely shared online.

Sgro acknowledged on her Facebook page today that those comments were insensitive.

“I should have known better, and I apologize.

The history of blackface is deeply racist and it is nothing other than discriminatory,” she wrote.

“This issue has sparked an important conversation in our country and needs to be treated with great seriousness and sensitivity. I will continue to have these important conversations with my constituents.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called her comments “ludicrous.”

“It is embarrassing and shameful that she would suggest that people like Mr. Trudeau more because he did blackface,” he said during a media availability today.

NATIONAL

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34

INDIA

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Rahul will address election rally in Haryana on October 14 Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi returned to India on Thursday and unveiled his schedule for the coming days, including an election rally in Haryana on October 14.

Rahul will be in Surat on Thursday to attend a court hearing at 11 am, in a defamation case filed

against him by RSS and BJP workers.He will be present at a similar case in Ahmedabad on Friday at 3 pm.He is scheduled to address election meetings in Maharashtra on October 13 and 15.

Detailed meeting schedules will be announced soon.

India & France agree to widen defence relations India and France have agreed to widen defence-related official as well as operationallevel interactions. The two nations agreed to expand the scope and complexity of the existing regular bilateral joint exercises named Shakti, Varuna and Garuda. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, currently on a visit to France, held the second India-France ministeriallevel annual defence dialogue with his French counterpart, Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly, in Paris, a statement of the Ministry of Defence said. During the dialogue held in Paris, the two ministers comprehensively reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation, which is a key pillar of IndiaFrance strategic partnership. They also exchanged views on contemporary regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Recognising that India-France partnership in the Indian Ocean region is crucial for preserving and promoting the common strategic and security interests, the two ministers noted the continuing implementation of actions outlined in the “Joint Strategic Vision

of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” (March 2018). The ministers also reaffirmed the strong intention of the two sides to further deepen bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism. Singh yesterday attended a ceremony for the handing over of the first of the 36 Rafale jets being acquired by India. The Indian delegation included Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, s e n i o r officials from the Ministry of Defence and the three Services.

Addressing a delegation of CEOs representing some of France’s leading defence industry majors, Rajnath Singh said India is open to further tax rationalisation that may be required to encourage the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the sector The minister also highlighted the recent cut in corporate tax rate as well as the steps taken to improve the ease of doing business in India. “We have undertaken significant economic reforms to open up the economy for investments,” he said

PM Modi to meet Chinese President Xi Jingping Chinese President Xi Jin Ping to meet PM Modi on October 11. PM Modi extended the invitation to Chinese President Xi Jingping during Summit in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan in June 2019. The invitation was in response to the Modi-Xi meeting in Wuhan in April 2018.

China is perusing its policy of “Peace, Stability, and Development” and wanted to keep good relations with all nations and cooperate in development on a mutual benefit basis. China keeps all differences aside and wanted to want to move forward on common grounds for developments. China peruses its policy with all nations, especially with its neighboring nations.

Although there exist severe disputes between ChinaIndia, and China still wanted to improve its ties with India. Fundamental issues are border disputes, Tibet issue, Kashmir issue, and Indian anti-China policies. India openly opposes the Chinese mega initiative of BRI, which got recognition of around 150 countries worldwide and keeps on growing its influence rapidly. While opposing Chinese initiatives, yet beneficiary of Asia International Infrastructure Development Bank (AIIB), an initiative of China under BRI. Contrarily, India has joined the Indo-Pacific Alliance of America, Japan, and Australia to counter China and contain China. Indian media is

over-engaged in anti-China propaganda and generating fake news and spreading hate.

India skipped a September 10 meeting of the Eurasian Economic Forum organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Xian. It might have serious impact

on India-China cooperation under the platform of SCO.Doklam stand-off in 2017 is still not forgotten by both sides and may exits irritation on both sides. India has planned joint Military exercises with America, where American troops and modern weaponry systems will be demonstrated just on the border with Tibet-China. It will be a show of power and direct threat to China, where Americans will demonstrate their military muscles to China. There are unconfirmed reports that India will establish a permanent military base (Air Base) with American troops and weapons, just on the Chinese border with Tibet.

Jilted lover burnt girl & self to death in the same fire A 17-year-old girl died after she was set ablaze by a man who reached her residence in the wee hours of Thursday.

Midhun from North Paravu, who poured petrol on Class 12 student Devika and set her ablaze, also died after he was engulfed by the fire, police said. The incident occurred at Athani in Kakkanad under Info Park police station limit here. Police suspect that the youth embraced the girl after setting her ablaze to kill himself.

The girl’s father, Shalan, suffered burns as he tried to shield his daughter from the accused.

He had been admitted to a hospital here, police said. According to police, Midhun reached the residence of the girl at around 12.15 am. When the girl’s father opened the door, he demanded to see the girl. He poured petrol on the girl and set her ablaze when she came out of her room. Police rushed to the spot after being informed by the neighbours. Doctors declared both dead soon after they were taken to the hospital. The youth who allegedly professed love for her committed the crime after the girl allegedly spurned his proposal.

Kejriwal’s Denmark trip not okayed by Central govt Arvind Kejriwal will most likely not address the C-40 climate summit in Denmark.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will most likely not address the C-40 climate summit in Denmark. The Ministry of External

Affairs under the Narendra Modi government did not give clearance for his visit. But the foreign ministry allowed West Bengal mayor Firhad Hakim to attend the four-day summit beginning Wednesday.

43 special officers and 10,000 cops on call for Modi-Xi meeting The ancient monuments of Mahabalipuram, have been spruced up ahead of this week’s informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The monuments show the artistic genius of Pallava era artisans, who created poetry in stone to bring alive several ideas like the time of the day, long before the clock was invented. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to visit the over 1,000-year-old monuments, a deeper study of the magnificent sculptures brings out the brilliance of its creators. On the Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) monuments, noted archaeologist T Satyamurthy said “the Pallava artisans excelled all their counterparts anywhere else.”

Illustrating his point, the renowned scholar, who was formerly superintending archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India, referred to the grand work of Arjuna’s penance to get “Pasupatastra” (most destructive weapon) from Lord Shiva. “In the entire frame, there are 64 demi-gods or deities, one temple, 13 human beings, 10 elephants, 16 lions, nine deer and

antelopes, two sheep, two turtles, one rabbit, one wild pig, one cat, 13 rats, seven birds, four monkeys, one iguana (double tongued lizard) and eight trees,” Mr Satyamurti told news agency Press Trust of India. Lord Shiva’s standing posture with four arms is striking and his lower hand shows “varada-mudra”, denoting grant of boons to Arjuna.

The Lord wears “jata-mukuta,” (a crown of artfully plaited braids) with Chandra (moon) decorating it at the Centre and along with “ganas” (attendants) he arrives to shower boons and all of these are skillfully sculpted.

“It is unique in many respects, including the selection of the rock for such execution,” Mr Satyamurthy said. Two large boulders (192 x 92m) with a narrow fissure in between were selected to represent a series of rows of deities (gods and goddesses). A narrow split in between the boulders divides the entire scenery into two blocks vertically and the fissure is converted into a flowing river. Nagas and Naginis are carved in this gap, further strengthening the artistic scene as the event that took place on the banks of a river.

PUNJAB

Saturday, October 12, 2019

High Court tells judges to deal with all issues raised before them The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reminded special judges across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to deal with all issues raised before them by the warring sides during trial before delivering the judgment.

“It is expected that the special judge holding a trial should deal with all contentions/ submissions of the counsel for the parties and thereafter deliver the judgment,” Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, adding that every accused had right to defend himself.

The assertion came in a drugs case where the special judge, after noticing various arguments, dealt with only one argument of non-joining of independent witness.

The accused, Jarnail Singh alias Jaila, had moved the High Court questioning the correctness and validity of judgment, convicting him under Section 22 of the NDPS Act. The prosecution had claimed that the appellant on May 29, 2014, was found in conscious

Behbal Kalan victims’ kin to hold convention Disappointed at the government for delay in delivering justice in the killing of Gurjit Singh and Krishan Bhagwan Singh, who were among the protesters in Behbal Kalan, their families, in association with Sikh organisations, will hold a ‘shaheedi samagam’ (convention for martyrs) at Bargari on October 14. The gathering at Behbal Kalan had been protesting the desecration that had rocked the state.

Krishan Bhagwan Singh’s son Sukhraj Singh said, “Four years after the incident, our hope for justice has been shattered as the Congress government, like its predecessor SAD, is playing politics over the protesters’ deaths.”

Sukhraj, vice president of Sikh Youth Punjab, said that before the commencement of the main programme, members of the SAD (Amritsar), led by its president Simranjit Singh Mann, will perform ‘ardas’ (prayer) at the same spot in Behbal Kalan

Home Affairs official among two held guilty in graft case The court of Special CBI Judge Sushil Kumar Garg today convicted Tejbir Singh Walia, Superintendent, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, and Khushal Singh, clerk, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Muktsar, in a corruption case. Caught for accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for the extension of jurisdiction of an arms licence, both have been taken into custody. The quantum of punishment will be announced on Friday. In a complainant submitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 28, 2012, Rajinder Singh, a transporter, stated that he had applied for the extension of the jurisdiction of his arms licence to the areas of Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan. The application was forwarded to the Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab. Later, he came to know that the application got misplaced. His brother too had applied for the same on August 23, 2012. The complainant discussed the issue with Khushal Singh, who was working in the office of the SDM, Muktsar. He asked the complainant to “meet Tejbir Singh Walia and pay Rs 10,000 as bribe” for his work.

After that, the complainant approached CBI sleuths and accordingly, a trap was laid and they were caught. During trial, the complainant “turned hostile” and died before recording his statement. However, all prosecution witnesses supported the prosecution theory.

possession of 45 gm of intoxicant powder within the jurisdiction of Bhogpur police station in Jalandhar. Justice Kshetarpal asserted that the appeal deserved to be allowed on more than one ground. ASI Premjit Singh, who carried out the search, was in fact a head constable holding “ORP rank”. As per a Punjab government notification, officers of and above ASI rank were empowered to exercise powers and perform duties specified in Sections 42 and 57 of the NDPS Act. Justice Kshetarpal added that it was further noticed from ASI Premjit Singh’s statement that the appellant was not given proper option. He was given the choice to get search conducted from the investigating officer, a gazetted officer or a magistrate. But search from nearest magistrate or gazetted officer were the only two permissible options.

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Chief Minister announces to free 550 prisoners Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s announcement to free 550 prisoners to mark the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak in November has put the state Prison Department in a tizzy as there aren’t enough eligible prisoners for special remission. Despite calculating the best possible remission of up to one year as a special case, the department could find only 350 eligible prisoners. Usually, remission of up to six months is given. The Chief Minister had, on September 28, announced that

the government would release 550 prisoners by mid-November. As per officials of the Prisons Department, it would be impossible to reach the figure of 550 in a month. The department has already explained the situation to the government in a detailed note. It had pointed out the laid down procedure for remission and asked for easing of norms, if the government insisted on releasing 550 prisoners. Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa admitted

No festive cheer, flood-hit areas grapple with gloom Kala Singh (60) from Mundi Cholian village is embarrassed to admit in front of his grand daughters that this year he won’t be able to buy toys for them this Diwali. “I will borrow money from relatives or friends to at least give them sweets,” says Kala Singh, whose standing paddy crop on two acres was ruined in the recent floods. He said earlier after selling the paddy, he was able to provide a festive environment in the house, but it would not be possible this year. This is not the plight

of Kala Singh only. Most residents of floodaffected villages — Mundi Cholian, Mundi Shehrian, Gatta Mundi Kasu and others — are grim. They have lost everything in the deluge. For them, Diwali is turning out to be black with no happy faces around, no shops selling colourful gifts and sweets. Out to feed his cattle, Sukhdev Singh, a septuagenarian, said of his 18 cows, only eight were left.

Recalling previous years, he spoke about his house, festivals and how he used to give his daughters gifts on the occasion of Diwali.

36

INDIA

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Why international flights from India take off at insane hours It’s partly because some airports in developed countries impose night curfews, and partly because some airports around the world operate 24/7/365 How many times have you taken a flight at midnight or even at 3 am, spent the rest of the night sitting uncomfortably in an economy class seat, and reached your destination bleary eyed and sleep deprived? And what about those living close to airports in metros, who complain that the noise from aircraft that are taking off and landing in the middle of the night disturbs their sleep, and more importantly causes noise pollution? Well, this happens because airports in India, like those in a host of other countries, including Singapore, Dubai and Colombo, operate their airports 24/7, 365 days a year. However, there are also a handful of countries such as the US,

Switzerland and Germany and some airports in Australia, that follow a night curfew — these airports are shut down for commercial operations between 11 pm and 5 am. For instance the Ronald Reagan airport in Washington imposes a night curfew between 10 pm and 6.58 am. During this time, these airports only allow emergency flights to land and take off.

These countries have been following night curfews since the 1960s, when aircraft engines were very noisy, and, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the curfew was primarily a result of local protests about noise pollution at night.

Speaking to BusinessLine, the late Maurice Flanagan, the man who set up the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, once said: “The best way to find out if a man has really worked in the airline industry is to check if he is deaf or not.

‘Couples of different communities are bed partners, ban Bigg Boss’: BJP MLA Salman Khan’s reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ seems to be in big trouble. BJP MLA from Ghaziabad, Nand Kishore Gujjar has written a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javdekar demanding that the show be taken off air. In his letter, the BJP legislator has alleged that the “show was promoting obscenity and vulgarity and was unfit for family viewing”. “The show is against the cultural ethos of the country and highly objectionable intimate scenes were a part

of it. Couples of different communities were being made to become bed partners, which was unacceptable. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on one hand, is trying to make India regain its lost glory and, on the other, such shows were demeaning the country’s culture,” he wrote. The BJP lawmaker also demanded a censor mechanism for content being aired on television in order to prevent such incidents in future.

Chandrayaan-2 provides ‘Sharpest Image Ever’ of Moon says NASA Understanding of the lunar surface has potentially reached its zenith in 2019 with many nations keenly focusing on the Moon.

Last week, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released very high spatial resolution images of the Moon taken from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. The US space agency, NASA has also released a visual dataset of the Moon.‘Sharpest Image Ever’ The Orbiter HighResolution Camera (OHRC) onboard ISRO’s Chanrayaan-2 is capable of providing highresolution images of the Moon. ISRO reports that it allows for the sharpest images ever from a lunar orbiter platform. Releasing the pictures taken from the OHRC on Friday, ISRO said that it is an essential new tool for lunar topographic studies of select regions.

The OHRC operates in the visible range of radiation and has a spatial resolution of 25 cm from a 100 km orbit—meaning it can distinguish an object of 25 cm on the lunar surface. The camera has a swath width of 3 km which means that it can scan a horizontal

distance of 3 km at a time. These capabilities of OHRC helps in providing the sharpest images of lunar topography assisting the scientists in deciphering the Moon’s mysteries. The images released on Friday were acquired at 4:38 am on September 5 and covered a part of the crater named BOGUSLAWSKY E and its surroundings. The area lies in the southern polar region of the Moon, and the crater is named after a German astronomer Palon H. Ludwig von Boguslawsky. Earlier after the loss of communication with the lander Vikram, ISRO had reported that the precise launch and mission management had ensured a long life of almost seven years for the orbiter.

If you ever wished to run around on the Moon surface, it might be possible soon, at least virtually. Last week, NASA released a stunning new animation of lunar landscape called CGI Moon Kit. The dataset, composed of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), is free to download. The dataset enables designers to create virtual experience of the Moon in games and other multimedia applications.

Pakistan accused of using diplomatic missions to push fake currency for terror funding - Report news agency has quoted unnamed Indian officials as accusing Pakistan of using diplomatic channels in Nepal, Bangladesh and other countries to bring and distribute consignments of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) to India. The media outlet also claimed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), has managed to create FICN. Pakistan has yet to respond to the charges. Pakistan has been accused of misusing diplomatic channels to bring and

distribute FICN in Bangladesh, In late 2015, an official of Islamabad’s mission named Farina Arshad was withdrawn after a militant organisation in that country claimed to have had links with her. In January 2015, an attaché in the Consular Section of Pakistan Mission in Dhaka was expelled after Bangladesh intelligence accused him of peddling FICN and providing funds to terror outfits.

Drones from Pakistan dropped arms in Punjab: DGP Groups based in Pakistan reportedly used a drone to drop weapons inside the Indian territory near Khalra village in Tarn Taran district earlier this month, violating Indian air space. The arms were believed to be meant for terrorists in Punjab or Kashmir, Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta told The Tribune. He said it was the first incident of its kind.

The police had last week arrested 10 persons in Tarn Taran following a mysterious blast. The DGP said the drone incident coincided with the busting of a terror module with the arrest of four persons affiliated with the now revived Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) which was backed by a Pakistan and Germany-based terror organisation. Five AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades were seized from the module members. After initial investigations revealed that drones were being used to deliver weapons and communication hardware from across the border, the Punjab CM approached the Centre, asking that directions be issued to the IAF and BSF for counter-measures to thwart any threat from drones to the border state. DGP Gupta said weapons were suspected to have been delivered across the border via drones by the ISI and the state-

sponsored jihadi and Khalistani outfits under its command. The infiltration seemed to have been aimed at scaling terrorism and militancy in J&K, Punjab and the Indian hinterland.

Gupta said the busted module was backed

by Pakistan-based KZF chief Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta and his Germany-based associate Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga alias Doctor. With the help of local sleeper cells, they had picked and radicalised locals and arranged funds and sophisticated weapons from across the border.

The arrested were identified as Balwant Singh alias Baba alias Nihang, Akashdeep Singh alias Akash Randhawa, Harbhajan Singh and Balbir Singh. Both Akashdeep and Baba Balwant Singh have a criminal record. The DGP said Maan Singh, now lodged in the Amritsar jail, at the behest of his handler Bagga had recruited Akashdeep Singh, when they were together in jail.

Consignment recipient Baba was a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) member, earlier arrested under the UAPA and Arms Act. Importantly, the Jammu police too had claimed some weeaks ago that three terrorists in Jammu had received a consignment of weapons from Punjab. The Punjab Police had confirmed the claim.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

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SOUTH ASIA

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USA does what no Islamic coutry dare to do US blacklists 28 Chinese companies and gov’t agencies over Uighur repression The US Commerce Department said on Monday it was putting 28 Chinese public security bureaus and companies – including video surveillance company Hikvision – on a US trade blacklist over Beijing’s treatment of Uighur Muslims and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities.

Those added to the so-called “Entity List” include the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region People’s Government Public Security Bureau, 19 subordinate government agencies and eight commercial firms, according to a Commerce Department filing. The companies include Zhejiang Dahua Technology, IFLYTEK

Co, Xiamen Meiya Pico Information Co and Yixin Science and Technology Co. The department filing said the “entities have been implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of China’s campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, and high-technology surveillance against Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups.” The list includes municipal and county public security bureaus and the Xinjiang Police College. US officials said the announcement was not tied to this week’s resumption of trade talks with China.

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India, US should sign totalisation agreement for social security: Trade Promotion Council TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla said that the totalisation agreement is an international social security pact that eliminate dual social security taxation, both in the home country and in the nation where an employee works. He said that this agreement should be part of the trade deal being negotiated

by India and the US. “Once it is signed, the agreement would benefit workers of both the countries and ensure equality of treatment,” Singla said in a statement.

Indian works are paying whopping taxes on their

income in the US. So, either they are allowed to avail all social security benefits after eight years or their working visa is extended beyond 10 years so that they are not adversely impacted and get all benefits at par with US citizens, he added. It is a long pending demand of India for early conclusion of the totalisation agreement or Social Security Agreement with the US. It aims to protect interests of professionals of Indian-origin who contribute more than $ 1 billion each year to the US social security.

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FIJI

Saturday, October 12, 2019

PM thanks Fijians for making Fiji the greatest country Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has thanked every Fijian for making Fiji the greatest country on Earth.

He says our 49 years of history have taught us that there is no obstacle a united Fiji cannot overcome and there is no victory – however improbable – we cannot attain.

In a brief Fiji Day message on Facebook, Bainimarama says the greatest chapters of the Fijian story lies ahead.

He says every year there will be more to celebrate and more reasons to say: I am proud to be Fijian.

PM Voreqe Bainimarama

Rabuka says Fijian economy is in crisis, while RBF says domestic sectoral performance to-date remains largely mixed AAAA SODELPA Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka claims that the Fijian economy is in crisis, and he does not believe what is being said by the Minister for Economy or the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Rabuka says it is so sad that independent institutions such as the RBF continue to support Government’s view that the economy is buoyant. He also says the latest announcement by the Minister for Education in the reduction of education grants to schools and the delay of its payment is what he claims a clear testimony that government has a cash flow problem.

Rabuka also says that the release of the Fiji Sugar Corporation Annual Report last week clearly indicate that it made a financial loss of

$80 million in the 2019 financial year. He also says the total FSC debt is hovering around $300 million which will be very difficult to manage taking into account the current trading environment. The SODELPA Leader also says the rise in prices of basic food items and increased revenue measures and fees and charges, two months after the budget announcement which reduced expenditure by a whopping $809 million is a clear sign of desperation. Rabuka goes on to say in his statement that the reduction of $809 million in government expenditure simply means that the economy will contract by at least $1.6 billion with the conservative multiplier effect of 0.2

Bus driver involved in Lakena accident questioned by Police The bus driver involved in the tragic road accident at Lakena Number Two Hill in Nausori yesterday is currently being questioned at the Nausori Police Station.

Two students have lost their lives while two are still in a critical condition.

The bus these students were travelling in tumbled down the hill.

Seventeen other students who were at the hospital for treatment have been sent home.

Government bans paraquat and imidacloprid f rom January 1st 2020 The government has banned the use of paraquat and insecticide, imidacloprid from January 1st, 2020.

While speaking at the Lakena Agricultural Station, Minister for Agriculture, Doctor Mahendra Reddy says the concerns about these chemicals were brought to the Ministry over a decade ago.

He says since then, the Ministry has been doing its own research.

Doctor Reddy says for the last two decades, a lot of people have raised the issue about

the toxicity of paraquat. He says they have now decidedtobantheweedicidecontainingparaquat.

He says their concern is also the negative effect on agriculture itself and on the farmers.

Doctor Reddy says that it has been found that the chemical has health effects on where it contacts your body. He says in the longer run, a small dosage of paraquat will be disastrous for a person.

Research also shows that paraquat residue in the soil can stay for more than 100 days and it also contaminates water sources like wells and boreholes.

Prasad calls on Fijians to re-dedicate to national interest National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has made a call for everyone to re-dedicate themselves to national interest instead of focusing only on personal and political advancement. In his Fiji Day message, Prasad paid tribute to the founding fathers of Fiji, hailing them as gigantic leaders who put national interest above everything else to negotiate Fiji’s Independence 49 years ago.

He says it must not be forgotten that it was the NFP’s founding father and Leader of the Opposition, A.D Patel and his successor Siddiq Koya, together with the then Chief Minister and later the first Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who put aside their

deep personal and political differences to give Fiji true nationhood and sovereignty.

He says this fundamental principle is a cornerstone of NFP’s foundation.

Prasad has urged everyone to remember the giant strides made by the country’s founding fathers and to hold true to the spirit of unity and understanding of Independence because freedom, hope and glory is still theirs if they grasp it.

Prasad has called on everyone to work together to ensure Fiji once again becomes a symbol of genuinely united, harmonious and a beacon of hope.

Namaka hit and run driver arrested Police have arrested the driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal hit and run accident in Namaka in Nadi at around 11 o’clock last night.

The driver who abandoned the vehicle at a hotel car park is currently being questioned at the Namaka Police Station.

He allegedly hit a police officer who passed

away at the scene.

Police say the man was crossing at the Namaka traffic lights when he was allegedly hit by the vehicle.

The road death toll currently stands at 41 compared to 59 for the same period last year.

Groundbreaking film called “Vai” starts screening in Fiji A groundbreaking film called “Vai” which focuses on empowering Pacific women through culture premiered at USP’s Oceania Pavillion last night. The film was made by nine female Pacific filmmakers and was shot in seven different Pacific countries including Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, and New Zealand.

While speaking at the event, New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr says the New Zealand Government is proud to support the “Vai” tour in the Pacific and adds the film has resonated with audiences across the world where it has been screened.

Two of the nine Film Directors are Fiji born sisters Sharon and Nicole Whippy.

Nicole Whippy says the film is about female empowerment that spans the breadth of the Pacific, telling the story of one woman’s life in eight separate moments from the perspective

of eight different Pacific Island cultures. Her sister Sharon says the film carries the theme of water and connection through the woman’s journey across the islands.

Vai is now screening in the cinemas

Thousands in parts of Lautoka facing water disruptions Thousands of people in parts of Lautoka are facing water supply disruptions due to the reduction of water levels at the Saru Reservoir.

The areas affected include

Natabua, Field 40, Banaras, Vuda Back Road and Wairabetia.

The Water Authority of Fiji says water supply will be restored by 6 pm today.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit to China during which he will hold talks with the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, and discuss issues of regional and bilateral significance. Prime Minister Khan was received by Chinese Minister for Culture Luo Shugang, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing and the Pakistan officials, Pakistan’’s state-

run APP news a g e n c y reported. Mr Khan will reportedly meet the country’s top le adership, including

Army chief hints at ‘greater role’ for himself, accompanies Prime Minister Khan during China visit Pakistan’s powerful Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa accompanied Prime Minister Imran Khan during key meetings with top Chinese leaders here amid reports that he is seeking greater role in the country’s affairs. With three military coups since 1947, Pakistan was under the Army rule for half of its history. The democratically elected governments functioned under the shadow of Army Generals.

Gen Bajwa, who has been given a three-year extension by Khan, is now taking increasing interest in the decision making process.

He was present in Khan’s meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Bajwa separately called on Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and discussed the military ties between the two countries.

The friendship between the two countries has weathered the changing international landscape and stayed rock-solid, Xu said. Bajwa is also expected to accompany Khan during his meeting with President Xi Jinping and National People’s Congress (NPC) chairman Li Zhanshu in Beijing. Gen Bajwa along with ISI chief Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed accompanied Khan during his recent visit to the UN to attend the General Assembly session. He recently held a private meeting with Pakistani businessmen to discuss how to shore up Pakistan’s economy from the current mess. Since he came to power, Khan had struggled to strike a chord with the Chinese leadership amid reports that some of the key projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were delayed.

Khan’s govt breaks all records in borrowing money Pakistan’s ruling Prime Minister Imran Khan government has broken all previous records in borrowing money merely in the first year of its tenure. According to the official data, during the one-year regime of the present government an increase of Rs 7,509 billion (Pakistani currency) was recorded in the total debt of the country.

A report in the Pakistani media, citing sources, said the State Bank of Pakistan has sent this borrowing data to the Prime

Minister’s Office. Between August 2018 and August 2019, the government has borrowed Rs 2,804 billion from foreign sources and Rs 4,705 billion from domestic sources, the report said. According to the State Bank of Pakistan data, a 1.43 per cent surge was noticed in the public debt of Pakistan in merely first two months of the current fiscal year. The debt of the federal government has reached to Rs 32,240 billion that was Rs 24,732 billion in August last year.

Hindu medical student died due to asphyxiation: Report The death of Hindu medical student who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Medical University’s hostel room last month occurred due to asphyxiation or lack of oxygen, a report pertaining to the case has revealed.

The histopathological examination report, compiled by the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences in Jamshoro on September 26, was handed over to Larkana police on Wednesday where it indicated that Nimrita Kumari died due to asphyxiation, Geo News reported.

The report claimed that the medical student did not die by unnatural causes or being poisoned since that would have showed changes in her body parts. However, there were no unusual symptoms in her heart, kidneys, lungs

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PM Khan meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

or liver, it added. The police, on the other hand, said the report did not mention the cause of Kumari’s death and maintained that the evidence indicated she committed suicide.

There was no proof that she was murdered, they added. Nimrita’s body was found on September 16 hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room at the Benazir Bhutto Medical University in Larkana. ]She was enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme and was a final-year student. Her family, as well as Hindu community leaders, insisted that she was killed and had demanded a joint investigation team (JIT) be formed to probe her death. The police had also claimed to have recovered sleeping pills from Nimrita’s bedroom and that the deceased used them duri

President Xi, and discuss issues of regional and bilateral significance.

His visit to China, third since he took over as Prime Minister in August last year, acquires significance as it comes days ahead of President Xi’’s planned highprofile visit to India to take part in

the 2nd informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mamallapuram near Chennai this week. However, there has been no official announcement here yet on Xi’’s visit to India.

The Pakistani prime minister will have separate meetings with President Xi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to discuss issues of regional and bilateral significance, an earlier APP report said.

China vows to make Gwadar port more valuable than Karachi The Chinese operators of Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port and its free zone in the restive Balochistan province have vowed to make the coastal city the single largest contributor to the country’s national economic output in seven years by creating 47,000 jobs with new investments worth billions of dollars, according to a media report.

China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) Gwadar Chairman Zhang Baozhong said this on Tuesday after the Pakistan government stamped 23-year income tax holiday and exemptions of sales tax and customs duties for the Gwadar Port and businesses to be set up at Gwadar Free Zone, the Express Tribune reported.

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Indian-American Sampat Shivangi to serve on panel of US health body Sampat Shivangi, an influential IndianAmerican community leader, has been invited to serve on the national advisory committee of a key health body dealing with mental health.

Shivangi, a physician, has been invited by the US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M Azar to serve on the Substance Abuse

and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Centre for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council. “I am delighted to invite you to serve on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Centre for Mental Health Services, National Advisory Council,” Azar said

NRI marriage registration Bill referred to Parliament’s standing committee The Bill, which makes it mandatory for NRI men to register their marriage within 30 days of getting married, has been referred to Parliament’s standing committee on external affairs. The ‘Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019’ empowers passport authorities to impound or revoke passport or travel documents of NRIs who fail to register their marriage within 30 days

after getting married. “Members are informed that the Speaker, Lok Sabha, in consultation with the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, has referred the Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019, as introduced in the Rajya Sabha, to the standing committee on external affairs for examination and report within two months,” the Lok Sabha secretariat said in a bulletin.

Prominent South Africa journalist passes away Farook Khan, a prominent Indian-origin journalist in South Africa and cultural activist who received fame for his investigative reporting during apartheid, has died in his hometown Durban after battling cancer. He was 77. A journalist for six decades, Farook Khan died on Thursday after he was in the hospital for the last three weeks. The last rites of Farook

Khan were performed on Friday. Farook Khan, whose ancestors were from Maharashtra, achieved fame for his investigative reports in various media that he worked for, often facing the wrath of the apartheid-era government and death threats from the underworld that he exposed. Farook Khan

NRIs to get Aadhaar card without waiting for 180 days Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) having Indian passports can now get Aadhaar card without waiting for 180 days, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.

As of now, the NRIs get Aadhaar card after staying in India for a minimum of 180 days.

“I propose to consider issuing Aadhaar

card for NRIs with Indian passports after their arrival in India without waiting for 180 days,” Sitharaman told Parliament while presenting the Budget 2019. According to the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, an NRI who has resided in India for 182 days or more in 12 months and with an Indian address could apply for Aadhaar.However, as per the Aadhaar Act, NRIs are fully exempt from producing Aadhaar for any verification.

The Minister said the government also intended to provide better and more accessible public services to Indians abroad by opening embassies in more countries.

UK MP Barry Gardiner comes out in support of revocation of Article 370 The Labour Party in the UK has been facing severe backlash for taking a proPakistan, appeasement-centric stand over the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Not only several Labour leaders have been actively involved in the anti-India protests in the UK after the abrogation of Article 370, but the party was also condemned and slammed by the Indian consulate for its open endorsement of Pakistan’s views in the recently passed resolution. However, Labour MP Barry Gardiner has come out openly supporting India’s decision regarding Article 370. In a recently published op-ed, the Brent North MP has slammed UK politicians trying to interfere in Indian government’s policy

NRI pleads guilty to wire fraud charges in USA A 66-year old Indian-origin man has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his employer of more than USD 1.7 million.

Rakesh Kaushal of Maryland pleaded guilty last week to the federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office said. Mr Kaushal, who remains detained, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy when sentenced in January 2020.

According to his plea agreement, between August 2015 and approximately January 2017, Mr Kaushal was employed by a company headquartered in Maryland that provided construction and design services, primarily to federal government agencies.

Ivan Victor Thrane was the owner and president of three construction companies operating in Dickerson and Beltsville, Maryland. Mr Kaushal admitted that he conspired with Mr Thrane to defraud the Maryland-based company by submitting fraudulent payment requests for work purportedly performed by the three Thrane companies, which Mr Kaushal reviewed

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Saturday, October 12, 2019